Words / B2

p-uh-TIK-y-uh-l-uh/pəˈtɪkjələ/

Particular means specific, or fussy about detail: a particular clause; particular about timing. Special is warmer; specific is the academic twin. In particular = especially. Mix-up: particle is a tiny piece (science). Do not write “in particularly”.

Meaning

Specific, or giving special attention to detail.

Examples

• “Name the particular clause you are quoting in the source booklet.”
• “She is particular about start times, which is the fussy-about-detail sense.”

Good to know

a particular + noun; in particular; particular about. Close: specific. Formal essays and briefs. Trap: particle. Not “in particularly”.

Near in meaning

specific

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