comma before/after 'especially' [adverb]: his books, especially

[Bhikkhu1991]

Hello,



Could you please tell me when a comma is necessary before 'especially' and when it is unnecessary?

I have noticed that a comma is sometimes preceding 'especially' and at times no comma is available. I also noticed that no comma is available immediately after it which is unlike 'namely' and 'for example'. 'Namely' and 'for example' are usually surrounded by commas.The following are some examples:

1. in Britain, any of certain small sandpipers (especially the dunlin) and the great tit (titmouse).

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1357048/oxeye#tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked&title=oxeye%20--%20Britannica%20Online%20Encyclopedia

2. ...Especially disappointing to him was his loss to Emanuel Lasker in 1908 for the world championship. Despite his failures, Tarrasch is best remembered for his books,especially The Game of Chess (1935), which developed and popularized...
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/224887/The-Game-of-Chess#tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked&title=The%20Game%20of%20Chess%20--%20Britannica%20Online%20Encyclopedia



3. These varieties may have to be especially fine for production of specialized cakes, called high-ratio cakes, that are especially light and have good keeping qualities.

• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/265339/high-ratio-cake#tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked&title=high-ratio%20cake%20--%20Britannica%20Online%20Encyclopedia

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you.


With best wishes.

 

[cyberpedant]

In none of the cases you've given is the use of a following comma correct.
In the phrases Especially disappointing, fine, light, especially is functioning as an adverb modifying the following adjective.
"his books,especially The Game of Chess" needs the "preceding" comma (which really should be analyzed as a comma that separates the phrase in apposition with "books").

 

[scetis]

I was just wondering if the punctuation in the following sentence is correct (I thought I would ask here since it's closely related to the above post):

She also likes reading all kinds of books. Especially, mystery and adventure stories.

I've read that you're not supposed to use Especially at the beginning of a sentence but there does seem to be exceptions.

I was wondering if the following would be correct: She also likes reading all kinds of books, especially mystery and adventure novels.

Thanks

 

[RM1(SS)]

She also likes reading all kinds of books. Especially, mystery and adventure stories.

She also likes reading all kinds of books, especially mystery and adventure novels.