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I was reading an English grammar book in which I found:

Roll down: to move something down especially by turning a handle.

In the bold part, I believe a comma is missing. But I am not sure whether this is intentional. Can you explain?

kevinbatchcom
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Anubhav
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1 Answers1

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A comma is used before especially when especially is used to set off a parenthetical clause, usually at the end of a sentence. See this ELU answer.

No comma is used when especially is not being used to set off a parenthetical clause. Example:

That was an especially fine performance.

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kevinbatchcom
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    "No comma is used when especially is used as an adverb." What else can it be used as? Do you have an example? Isn't "especially by turning a handle" a parenthetical phrase placed at the end of the definition? – Victor B. Aug 20 '16 at 17:48
  • @Rompey - You're right; "especially" is always an adverb. I have edited my answer. – kevinbatchcom Aug 20 '16 at 17:57
  • To have it done with, should a comma be placed before "especially" in the definition? – Victor B. Aug 20 '16 at 18:11