Common Errors - Specially and Especially

Especially and specially are two adverbs often misused by English learners. Here are some examples that might help you to understand their differences:

Wrong: A woman who works sometimes neglects her family, specially the children.
Right: A woman who works sometimes neglects her family, especially the children.

Specially is an adverb used when we want to describe a single special purpose:
e.g. The course has been specially prepared for young beginners
e.g. I came here specially to see you.”

Especially means “particularly”:
e.g. You need extra heating in the house especially during the winter months

in Heaton & Turton (1987) Longman Dictionary of Common Errors (abridged and adapted)