especially格外 pushes a quality beyond the usual — "especially, exceptionally, particularly." It's a touch more literary than unusual特别, marking something that stands out from the norm.
Structure: 格外 + Adjective / Verb
after the rain雨后的the air空气exceptionally格外fresh新鲜。
The air after rain is exceptionally fresh.
seeing见到her old friend老朋友she，她especially格外happy高兴。
Seeing her old friend, she was especially happy.
Remember: especially格外 = "outside the usual grid" (square格 = a frame/square) → "exceptionally, beyond the norm." It's the more literary, stands-out cousin of unusual特别.
Watch out
- It implies a departure from normal — for plain "very," degree / adjective linker很 / very非常 fit; for "stands out," especially格外.