Particularly vs. In Particular

“In particular” is an idiomatic expression that means “in distinction from others” or “specifically.” This expression usually refers to nouns. It can be used in many places in a sentence, and is set apart by a comma when it occurs at the beginning of a sentence or phrase.

Examples:

In particular, I like their mango tres leches dessert.

I like their desserts; in particular, the mango tres leches.

I like their desserts, the mango tres leches in particular.

“Particularly” means “in detail” or “to an unusual degree.” It is an adverb, and as such it can be used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, not nouns. It is not set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence.

Examples:

I particularly like their mango tres leches dessert.  (modifies the verb “like”)

Their mango tres leches dessert is particularly good.  (modifies the adjective “good”)

Their mango tres leches dessert tends to run out particularly quickly.  (modifies the adverb “quickly”)

Two questions now arise:

Q1: What exactly is tres leches?  (Pronounced: trace LAY-chayz)

A1: Tres leches is Spanish for “three milks.” This dessert is a dense, white sponge cake that has soaked up whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk, and it is topped with whipped cream. In the case of mango tres leches, there is some mango juice in the whipped cream and some finely chopped mango bits on top of that.

Q2: Where can I get me some of that??

A2: Cantina Laredo, on Wilcrest south of Westheimer, Houston, Texas. It’s delightful!
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Funny Quote of the Day:

“Don’t tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly don’t tell them where they know the fish.”

– Mark Twain (real name Samuel Clemens), American author and humorist, 1835-1910

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