PS is an afterthought, an abbreviation, which stands for Postscript. Postscript comes from the Latin word Post scriptum, which means “written after” – an afterthought.
Usually, PS comes after the written letter’s main body, a wish-well text, and a signature. And it has various uses today.
Although PS has been around for quite a long time, we can’t put the finger on an exact date we started using it, but the Online Etymology Dictionary dates it back to the 1550s.
Indeed, PS doesn’t have exact synonyms, but we will still try to give you words that carry the same definition:
- Addendum
- Addition
- Afterthought
- Stop press
- Afterword
In this article, you’ll get to know more about how to use PS correctly. Anyways, you can always ask a professional paper writing service to help you with your writings.
How to use PS?
While writing (or typing) a letter, an afterthought might occur. We can emphasize it by adding it as a PS after the signature. Sometimes, people even use PS to include a funny or witty comment after a letter.
Example:
“PS. Don’t forget your coat; it’s cold outside.”
In general, PS is an amazing tool used for various reasons.
Use PS in the email
You might think to yourself, “why do I need to add an afterthought when I can just go back and edit the text?”
And you’ll be right to come up with that idea, but PS is a helpful tool to emphasize important information. Please don’t throw it away altogether.
Example
“Hi, Amelia,
I’m so happy we had a chance to go out and have lunch. I had fun and learned so much about writing formal and informal emails.
Sorry, I had to run so fast, my flight was moved unexpectedly, and I didn’t even have time to say a proper goodbye.
It would be nice to repeat our lunch once I’m in the city again. What do you think?
Sincerely,
Emily
P.S. Remind me to bring you the book I promised. “
In this example, Emily added a PS at the end of her letter so that Amelia can remind her to bring the book she promised her.
For Emily, this PS is a method to emphasize something important that would otherwise be lost in the letter’s main body.
PS is an amazing way to drag our attention to the specific content. Think about it, have you ever missed any PS in the letters you’ve read?
Format and punctuate PS
Is it PS or ps? Should I write P.S. or PS?
Ugh! Questions like this bugged me every time I had to write PS in my letters or articles.
After thorough research and consultation with The Cambridge Dictionary about how to format and punctuate PS, this is what I can tell you:
- Write PS if you’re writing in British English
- Write P.S. if you’re writing in American English
Just remember to capitalize both letters (abbreviations usually need capitalization). Now, you might come around written British English with the usage of P.S and vice versa, but don’t worry – it’s a personal preference for some writers.
It helps if you choose whichever format you like and don’t mind the other.
Why do we need to use PS now?
Typewriters are romantic and vintage, but rarely anybody uses them today. Back when people didn’t have computers, internet, and email addresses, they wrote on typewriters, which didn’t have the backspace key.
Because people couldn’t just jump into the middle of the text and edit it or add something, they had to either rewrite the letter or add an afterthought – Postscript (PS).
PS was practical and even unavoidable. But we do have programs that allow us to edit text without rewriting it, so what does PS mean today?
Use PS to add information that is not relevant to the letter
We already discussed that PS could be a great tool to emphasize important information. But what about something that doesn’t belong in the letter but you still want to bring it up?
Example:
“Hi, Garry,
I left the documents on your table since you weren’t in your office. If you have any questions regarding the report, let me know, and we can discuss it further.
Sincerely,
Emily
P.S. I know this is off-topic, but tell Amelia thank you for taking care of my goldfish while I was away.”
In this example, Emily is talking about a work-related subject with Garry but wanted to thank his wife (Amelia) for taking care of her goldfish. It’s an off-top, so she had to add a PS as an excuse to add that irrelevant information.
Use PS to leave a parting thought
Some thoughts are so important that you have to voice them twice. If you want to sell your opinion, give it a meaning, and use PS to express it.
Example:
“Hi, Tom,
So sorry to hear that you decided to leave the project. Is there anything we can do to change your mind?
The whole group loves your writing and how you use storytelling elements in your work. We’d be happy to discuss the details of you staying with us.
Sincerely,
Samantha
P.S. Seriously, This could be an amazing opportunity for your professional growth and an addition to your portfolio.”
In this example, Samantha (project manager) asks Tom (a freelancer) to reconsider leaving their project. She proceeds to add a PS to leave Tom with a parting thought about his professional development and filling his portfolio with more work.
Use PS to express a sentiment or be funny and witty
People often use PS to include an emotional sentiment or tell an inside joke, make a funny comment, etc.
Example #1:
Hi, Jeff,
I’m still mad at you for breaking my phone, and I’m not talking to you for a few days.
P.S. I still love you.
It is a typical PS example that expresses emotions and sentiment. But what about a funny comment?
Example #2:
Hi, Jeff,
The details of the flight are in my last email. I just wanted to remind you to pack your bags before you go to bed and meet me at the lobby tomorrow morning.
Sincerely,
Emily
P.S. Don’t be late again, or we’ll leave without you.
In this example, Emily gives Jeff important information about the flight and jokes about how the crew will leave without him if he’s late again.
Use PS in marketing
That’s right! PS is a powerful tool in marketing as well.
Do you know what CTA stands for? CTA is a call to action content that drives the audience to take action (desired by the content creator).
Marketers, copywriters, and others use it to promote their product, give the reader a special offer, or remind them about the sale that ends soon.
Example:
Hi, Seth,
Here’s the catalog of our new products. You can view the full list on our website and shop as much as you like.
Sincerely,
TypicalOnlineShop
P.S Oh, and don’t forget about your special 20% off off the first purchase.
Marketing specialists know that people only skim the letters and pay attention to the first 3-6 words and the last 3-6 words. Our mind also pays attention to the unique content – that’s why PS is such a powerful tool.
Pay attention to the next newsletter you get in your inbox.
What is PSS, PPS, PPPS, and others?
As if PS wasn’t enough, we have to decipher PPS, PSS, and PPPS now?
It’s not as common as PS, but people sometimes use the other abbreviations if the regular PS isn’t enough.
- PPS – Post post scriptum
- PSS – Post super scriptum
- PPPS – Post post post scriptum
You can add PPS or PSS after the regular PS to add another thought to the letter.
Example:
Hi, Scot,
I’ve read your report and have a few questions. Can we book a call for Wednesday?
Thanks
Cindy,
P.S. Could you let Tom and Sally on this too?
P.P.S And don’t forget to inform the project supervisor about the upcoming review.
Not enough Post Scriptum for you? You can add PPPS after the PPS as well.
Example:
Hi, Scot,
I’ve read your report and have a few questions. Can we book a call for Wednesday?
Thanks
Cindy,
P.S. Could you let Tom and Sally on this too?
P.P.S And don’t forget to inform the project supervisor about the upcoming review.
P.P.P.S Don’t forget to send me the expenses report as well.
It might be a bit too much, but some people love playing with PS.
What does PS mean – other meanings of the abbreviation
You might come across a PS that doesn’t really mean postscript. When does this happen?
- PS – Stands for Photoshop – It’s an Adobe program that lets you edit and design photos and videos.
- PS – Playstation – It’s a Japanese video game brand. A console that you use to play video games.
Now you know everything about PS. You can share your knowledge with others and write your letters with more confidence.
Clap
