# selective vs selectively

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### selective
*adjective · IPA /səˈlɛktɪv/ · frequency rank #8,604*
Of or relating to the process of selection.

### selectively
*adverb · frequency rank #19,201*
In a selective manner, only affecting or applying to some selected cases.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/selective-vs-selectively