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Especially and specially

 

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings.


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  #21  
Old August 12, 2008, 04:30 PM
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Interesting research Poli, I'd never heard that term before either.
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  #22  
Old August 12, 2008, 06:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty View Post
The word especially, always used as an adverb, means:
to an unusual or exceptional degree (This building is especially large.)
to single out one among a range (They were all winners, especially Joe.)
chiefly (There are many great violinists, especially men.)
for a specific or particular purpose (This brush, especially designed for removing pet hair, makes a great gift.)

The adverb specially means:
for a special or particular purpose, person, or occasion
(The program was specially for children.)
(This brush, specially designed to remove pet hair better than any other pet hair remover, makes an exceptional gift.)
(The especially tall building had specially designed turbolifts to carry passengers to the higher floors more quickly.)

As you can see, the last definition of especially and the only definition of specially are quite similar. This is probably why there is a great deal of confusion between the words. As Poli pointed out, however, there are certainly times when they can't (properly) be switched. It's improper to say, "The building was specially tall," for example.
Thanks, Rusty
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  #23  
Old August 12, 2008, 06:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
This may be an invented concept all language is invented. I did not acuñar this concept, but thanks for the compliment.

When especially describes the adverb it is auxiliary much the way very (muy) is. If another word for auxiliary suits you, find it and use it. The word specially doesn't fulfill that function as well. Auxiliary means help it helps discribe the main adverb or adjective.
(He is especially tall. He works especially well.) In this function the
word especially (like very) doesn't stand on its own. It supports a principal adverb or adjective and is therefore auxiliary..
I will repeat especially should be used when it is followed by a prepositional phrase.
Feel free to google yourself silly and find 84 entries or 184 entries or 184,000 entries. It doesn't matter. What I've written makes perfect sense. <snip>
He reportado este mensaje por contener insultos contra mi persona. La contestación que he obtenido de Tomísimo no me parece suficiente pues, si bien admite que hay insultos, sólo me asegura que I will ask Poli to be more careful not to insult people. Quisiera saber si se van a admitir insultos en el foro. Espero una explicación, exijo disculpas y exijo que se borre el post de Poli.
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Last edited by Tomisimo; August 13, 2008 at 02:29 PM. Reason: Removed what could be considered an inflammatory remark
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  #24  
Old August 12, 2008, 06:28 PM
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Polite follow up:Thank you all, guys.
My real feelings: Why did I ask? I never thought those two words could have caused so much confrontation. But I guess confrontation is good, I just don't have the tools to deal with it.
Thanks, David, for managing to say the right thing whenever necessary.
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  #25  
Old August 12, 2008, 08:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by María José View Post
Polite follow up:Thank you all, guys.
My real feelings: Why did I ask? I never thought those two words could have caused so much confrontation. But I guess confrontation is good, I just don't have the tools to deal with it.
Thanks, David, for managing to say the right thing whenever necessary.
También yo creo que la confrontación de las ideas es buena, pero delicada. Aquí, en cambio, no ha habido confrontación de las ideas. Lo que ha habido son insultos y, tras estos, el silenciamiento de mis ideas.
Cuando alguien ve criticadas sus ideas, debe responder con argumentos, nunca con insultos. Cuando éstos se producen ya no hay confrontación que merezca la pena.
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  #26  
Old August 13, 2008, 02:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfonso View Post
También yo creo que la confrontación de las ideas es buena, pero delicada. Aquí, en cambio, no ha habido confrontación de las ideas. Lo que ha habido son insultos y, tras estos, el silenciamiento de mis ideas.
Cuando alguien ve criticadas sus ideas, debe responder con argumentos, nunca con insultos. Cuando éstos se producen ya no hay confrontación que merezca la pena.
Estoy de acuerdo, pero nadie está dentro de la cabeza de los demás.Y cosas que a tí te parecen hirientes, a mí o a otro no nos afectan en absoluto. Y viceversa.
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  #27  
Old August 13, 2008, 05:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfonso View Post
The conclusion I get is that especially doesn't mean very.

And I don't think auxiliary adverb is a proper term for especially, since in the examples you gave once works modifying another adverb (2. especially well), and once works modifying a verb (4. made especially). The conclusion is that it works both, as much linked to an adverb as linked to a verb, as any other adverb.

Anyway, I had never heard before of the term auxiliary adverb, and Google only gives 84 entries for it, not all of them related to this subject.

Are you a grammar-fiction writer, Poli? It's OK if you invent words... But, inventing grammar concepts should take you a little longer.
Alfonso,
Perdóname. Es que pensaba que contesté la ultima frase de este hilo con el mismo sal que tú me echaste. El concepto de la función de la forma adverbial de la palabra very no está inventado por mi. No soy un descuidado inventor de reglas falsas. No soy un grammar fiction writer, pero la idea de una vocación asi es graciosa. Cuando me contestó en un modo sardónico no me insultaste. Lo vi cómico, o sea un poquito duro. Quedo sorprendido que te insulté con mi contesta tambien dura. Lo dije en un modo jocular y en ningún modo en serio. Es claro que eres inteligente. Sinceramente, no es mi deseo mortificar a ti o a nadie
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  #28  
Old August 13, 2008, 09:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by María José View Post
Estoy de acuerdo, pero nadie está dentro de la cabeza de los demás.Y cosas que a tí te parecen hirientes, a mí o a otro no nos afectan en absoluto. Y viceversa.
Me resulta difícil entender lo que quieres decir. La única conclusión que saco es que insultar no está mal, pues a unos les afecta y a otros no. No comparto este planteamiento, ni entiendo a qué viene este comentario.
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  #29  
Old August 13, 2008, 09:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
Alfonso,
Perdóname. Es que pensaba que contesté la ultima frase de este hilo con el mismo sal que tú me echaste. El concepto de la función de la forma adverbial de la palabra very no está inventado por mi. No soy un descuidado inventor de reglas falsas. No soy un grammar fiction writer, pero la idea de una vocación asi es graciosa. Cuando me contestó en un modo sardónico no me insultaste. Lo vi cómico, o sea un poquito duro. Quedo sorprendido que te insulté con mi contesta tambien dura. Lo dije en un modo jocular y en ningún modo en serio. Es claro que eres inteligente. Sinceramente, no es mi deseo mortificar a ti o a nadie
Acepto tus disculpas.
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  #30  
Old August 13, 2008, 09:37 AM
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Espero que David se decida pronto a borrar el comentario #16, pues a él le compete la administración y moderación del foro.

Si las normas no están claras y se asienta un precedente como el que denuncio, el foro se convertirá en poco tiempo en un lugar que no merecerá la pena.

Creo que debe quedar el lugar del mensaje #16 vacío, inalterado el orden, con la advertencia de que el mensaje ha sido borrado.
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