Cool MateEspecially vs Notably
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Especially
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Notably
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Most common: Especially
| Especially | Notably | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈspeʃəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈspeʃəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnəʊtəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnəʊtəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | More than usual; particularly. | Especially or particularly. |
| Example | I enjoy all kinds of music, especially jazz. | The house had many drawbacks, most notably its price. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | especially important, especially interesting, especially for you, especially relevant, especially helpful | notably absent, notably different, notably improved, notably larger, notably successful |
| Antonyms | especially not, not particularly | insignificantly, unremarkably, commonly, ordinarily |
| Common mistakes | Often misused as 'especial' which is incorrect., Confused with 'specially', which has different meanings., Used in negative contexts where it can sound awkward. | Using 'notably' in a question form incorrectly., Confusing with 'notable' as a noun., Placing 'notably' too far from the subject it modifies. |
| Usage notes | Used to highlight a specific example or situation. Common in both spoken and written English but may sound overly formal in casual conversations. | Use 'notably' in formal writing or discussions to highlight important examples or points. It might feel too strong or unnecessary in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Especially vs Notably
What's the difference between Especially and Notably?
Especially: More than usual; particularly. Notably: Especially or particularly.
Which is more common: Especially and Notably?
Especially is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Especially and Notably?
Notably is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Especially and Notably the same CEFR level?
Especially: A2, Notably: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Especially and Notably?
Especially: adverb, Notably: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Especially: I enjoy all kinds of music, especially jazz. Notably: The house had many drawbacks, most notably its price.
Can I use Especially and Notably interchangeably?
Not always. Especially and Notably are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.