some idea about especially and in particular

question
I know that "in particular" has the same meaning as "especially." Can you please explain the correct usage of each and the use of commas?

For example:
I like sweets; in particular, ice cream and chocolate.
I like sweets. In particular, ice cream and chocolate.

I like sweets, especially, ice cream and chocolate.

What's the difference between especially and in particular? Adverb vs. prepositon?




answer
Your first example is very nice. The reason for the semi-colon is to show that, even though "I like sweets" is a separate element from "in particular, ice cream and chocolate," there is a very close connection between the two elements.

Your second example doesn't work. "I like sweets" is fine as a complete sentence, but the second element can't function as a sentence because it has no subject or verb.

The third example should not have a comma after especially. We normally use a comma after in particular, but we don't after especially.

And yes, especially is an adverb, and in particular is an adverbial phrase.