Postscript: The Art of Adding Afterthoughts to Your Writing
Learn about the word ‘postscript’, its meaning, history, and proper usage in written communication. Discover how this useful term can help you add important information to your emails and letters without rewriting the entire message. This video covers the definition, etymology, examples, and common mistakes to avoid when using postscripts.
Have you ever finished writing an important email or letter, only to realize you forgot to mention something crucial?
That’s where our word of the day comes in handy: postscript. Let’s explore this useful term that can save you from rewriting entire messages.
Word type: Postscript is a noun.
Meaning: A postscript is an additional message or piece of information added to a letter, email, or other form of communication after the main body and signature.
It’s typically marked by the abbreviation P.S. and contains information that was forgotten or occurred to the writer after completing the main message.
Word history: The term postscript comes from the Latin post scriptum, which literally means after writing.
It entered the English language in the sixteenth century and has been a valuable tool for writers ever since.
Antonyms: While postscript doesn’t have direct antonyms, some related contrasting terms include preface, introduction, or preamble, which appear at the beginning of a text rather than the end.
Synonyms: Some synonyms or related terms for postscript include afterthought, addendum, appendix, or codicil, though these may have slightly different connotations or uses.
Examples use in sentences: Here are some examples of how to use postscript in sentences: The letter ended with a brief postscript mentioning the change in meeting time.
Her email was concise, but the postscript contained the most important information. I always read the postscripts in her letters, as they often include humorous anecdotes.
The author added a lengthy postscript to the second edition of the book, addressing readers’ questions.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is using postscript as a verb. For example, saying I postscripted a note to the letter is incorrect.
Instead, you should say I added a postscript to the letter. Another error is confusing postscript with footnote.
While both add information to a text, a postscript appears at the end of the main body, whereas a footnote is typically found at the bottom of a page.
Lastly, some people mistakenly write P.S.S. for a second postscript. The correct form is P.P.S., which stands for post-postscript.
To wrap up, mastering the use of postscript can enhance your written communication skills, allowing you to add important afterthoughts without disrupting the main flow of your message.
Remember, it’s a noun, it comes from Latin, and it’s an excellent tool for those last-minute additions to your writing.
Keep these points in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to using postscript like an IELTS 8.0 candidate.
