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Meaning & use

in particular

phrase·Academic

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UK/ɪn pəˈtɪkjələ/
US/ɪn pərˈtɪkjələr/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Used to point out one item from a wider group as especially important or relevant.

    Grammar: Comes after the thing it highlights or at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma.

    Patterns

    • something, in particular
    • In particular, something

    I enjoyed the whole trip, the food in particular.

    Several students struggled, Maya in particular.

    The city has many parks. In particular, the one by the river is lovely.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    Specially or especially, in a negative sentence meaning nothing special.

    Grammar: Often appears with nothing, anything or anyone: nothing in particular.

    Patterns

    • nothing in particular
    • anyone in particular

    Are you looking for anything in particular?

    We didn't talk about anything in particular.

    I wasn't thinking of anyone in particular.

Common combinations

nothing in particular
What did you do today? Nothing in particular.
one in particular
There is one book in particular that changed my mind.
this reason in particular
I chose this college for one reason in particular.
anything in particular
Do you want anything in particular for dinner?
in particular, the
Prices rose, in particular, the cost of fuel.

Synonyms and how they differ

especially
Especially is a single word that fits easily inside a sentence, whereas in particular usually sits at the end or opens the sentence.
specifically
Specifically stresses precision and names exactly what is meant, while in particular simply highlights a standout item.
notably
Notably is more formal and suggests the item is worth noticing for being remarkable.

Opposites

in general

Word family

particular adjective
specific, or fussy about details
particularly adverb
especially, to a high degree
particularity noun
the quality of being specific, a formal word

Commonly confused: in particular or in particularly?

in particular vs in particularly

Not a phrase: only 'in particular' is correct, and 'particularly' is a separate adverb that comes before an adjective.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'in particular' correctly?

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