Is there anything wrong with the use of "especially" in this sentence?
Since then, his popularity has increased in other countries, especially Russia, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
I don't know if to add "in" after especially up there or not. Even with that something seems wrong with the use of especially followed by a list of countries. Anything wrong or is it just me?
Best Answer
Here's the definitions of especially by Oxford Dictionaries:
The example in the question uses the first definition correctly. Usually especially is applied to a single thing, and although several countries are mentioned, it's referring to those countries collectively.
Especially was incorrectly used for comedy effect in The Simpsons: