1. 强调程度时
当用于形容词或副词前，强调程度(通常译为“特别”)时，三者都可用。如：
It is particularly [especially, specially] cold today. 今天特别冷。
I was feeling particularly [especially, specially] tired this evening. 今天晚上我特别累。
有时还可修饰动词。如：
I especially [particularly, specially] want to see that film. 我特别想看那部电影。
2. 强调目的时
当用于强调目的(意为“特意”、“专门”)时，通常用specially 或especially，一般与表目的的不定式或介词for短语连用。如：
I was asked specially to meet her. 特意要我去接她。
We bought it specially [especially] for you. 这是我们特意为你买的。
The book is written especially [specially] for children. 这本书是专门为孩子们写的。
3. 表示列举时
当用于陈述某一事实之后，列举一个具有代表性的例子作进一步强调时，一般用 especially，有时也用 particularly，其后可接名词、介词短语、从句等。如：
We want to invite some friends, especially Jim and John. 我们想邀请几个朋友，尤其是吉姆和约翰。
Noise is unpleasant, especially when you're trying to sleep. 噪音是令人不愉快的，尤其是当你想入睡的时候。
The children enjoyed watching the animals, especially [particularly] the monkeys. 孩子们喜欢观看动物，尤其是猴子。