Your best particularly synonym is usually especially, though specifically, notably, in particular and above all each pull a little differently. Particularly does two jobs: it points at one member of a group (I love fruit, particularly mangoes), and it boosts an adjective (a particularly cold night).
The two jobs need different replacements. Notably works for pointing, unusually works for boosting, and very works for both only some of the time. Below is another word for particularly in each role, with notes on commas and word order.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
especially, specifically, notably, in particularPart of speech
AdverbMost formal
principally, notably, exceedinglyMost casual
really, super (before adjectives)Antonyms
generally, broadly, in generalWatch out
In particular moves to the end or after a comma. You cannot write an in particular cold night.Related form
particular (adjective), see the not particularly note below
Each particularly synonym: pointing or boosting
Sort your sentence first. If particularly sits before a noun or a phrase, it is pointing. If it sits before an adjective or adverb, it is boosting.
| Job | Replacements | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Pointing at one item | especially, notably, in particular, chiefly | Kids enjoy the park, notably the splash pad. |
| Boosting strength | unusually, exceptionally, extremely, really | It was an unusually long line. |
| Being exact | specifically, expressly, explicitly | The rule was written expressly for guests. |
Weak to strong along the chip strip
Mainly gently says one part outweighs the rest. Notably flags something worth a reader noticing. Especially gives it clear extra weight. Above all ranks it first. Exceptionally belongs to the boosting job and means far beyond normal.
Notice that the strip mixes the two jobs at its strong end. That is on purpose: when emphasis gets heavy, writers often switch from pointing to boosting.
Particularly swapped out in real lines
- Sales rose, particularly in coastal towns becomes sales rose, notably in coastal towns.
- I am particularly worried about the roof becomes I am especially worried about the roof.
- It was a particularly bad winter becomes it was an exceptionally bad winter.
- She asked particularly for you becomes she asked for you specifically.
- The test was not particularly hard becomes the test was not very hard.
- Older readers, particularly, liked the ending becomes older readers in particular liked the ending.
An essay line reads: "Many cities, particularly large ones, face particularly high rents." Two in one sentence feels heavy. Revised: "Many cities, above all large ones, face unusually high rents." One word points and the other boosts, which matches what each spot needs.
Where each one sits in the sentence
Especially and particularly slide into almost the same slots. In particular is a phrase, so it follows a noun (the kitchen in particular) or stands between commas. Specifically often opens a clarifying sentence: Specifically, we need two more drivers. Above all likes the front of a clause and sounds a little like a speech.
For more on joining ideas cleanly, transition and linking words sorts adverbs by the job they do.
Not particularly: the polite softener
People say not particularly to mean no, or not much, without sounding blunt. Are you hungry? Not particularly. The smooth swaps are not really, not especially and not very. Avoid not notably or not chiefly; they sound odd.
Be careful with the adjective particular. A particular person can be fussy, so she is particular about tea means she is choosy, not that she drinks it often.
Pick by setting: essay, email, chat
Academic writing: notably, chiefly and in particular keep a measured tone. Browse further adverbs in essay and academic words; they hold up under a marker's eye.
Office email: especially and specifically are clear and quick. Specifically is handy when a colleague missed a detail.
With friends: really, mostly or super take over. Nobody texts "I principally want pizza."
The other direction: words for in general
Where particularly narrows the focus, generally, broadly and in general widen it. For the boosting job, the opposite is slightly or mildly.
- Generally, our buses leave on schedule.
- The soup was only mildly spicy.
See also very synonyms for more boosting adverbs.
Frequently asked questions
Are especially and particularly interchangeable?
Nearly always. Both point at one item and both boost adjectives. Especially is a touch more common in speech, particularly a touch more common in reports.
Which swap suits a formal research paper?
Notably and in particular read well in academic prose. Chiefly works when you mean the main reason or the largest part.
Can very replace particularly?
Only for the boosting job. A particularly hot day can become a very hot day, but I like dogs, particularly beagles, cannot become very beagles.
Does in particular need commas?
Mid sentence it normally takes a comma on each side. At the end, a comma before it is optional.
What does not particularly mean?
People use it to mean not really or not much, gently. It sounds less direct than a plain no.
Is there an antonym for particularly?
Generally and in general sit opposite the pointing sense. For the boosting sense, slightly or mildly work.