What about adjective "especial" for a person?

Question

I read about the use of especial and special. But I'm not sure if applies the same when describing a person.

For instance, do you say:

I am an especial person.

or

I am a special person.

Especial is not used very often. https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=especial%2C+special&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cespecial%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cspecial%3B%2Cc0 — sooeithdk, Nov 15 '15 at 21:07
As @sooeithdk said, especial exists in English, but it is used rarely. More commonly it is used in English by native Spanish speakers, either as a "false friend" (similar word) or simply through mispronunciation of special. — Drew, Nov 15 '15 at 22:28
Virtually the only (non-erroneous) use of "especial" in English is in the adverb form -- "especially". Since it is so rare it's misuse will stick out like an especially sore thumb, so it's best avoided until you're fairly familiar with it's use. — Hot Licks, Nov 15 '15 at 23:32
What @Drew said - as covered by Difference in starting pronunciations of “station” and “sun” — FumbleFingers, Nov 16 '15 at 00:34

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Dec 16 '15 at 00:46

1

You would never say, "I am an especial person". Especial is seldom used as an adjective, almost always as an adverb:

He is a special person, especially when it comes to helping others.

edited Dec 16 '15 at 00:46

macraf

answered Nov 15 '15 at 22:56

DJ Far

1 Answers1