Postscript: The Art of Adding Afterthoughts
Explore the meaning, history, and usage of ‘postscript’ – a common term in written communication. Learn how this noun derived from Latin can enhance your vocabulary and SAT performance. Discover synonyms, examples, and common errors to avoid when using this versatile word.
Imagine you’ve just finished writing an important email, hit send, and then suddenly remember a crucial piece of information you forgot to include.
What do you do? You add a postscript! Today, we’re exploring the word postscript, a term you might encounter on the SAT and definitely in your daily life.
Word type: Postscript is a noun.
Meaning: A postscript is an additional message, thought, or piece of information added to a letter or other form of communication after the main body and signature.
Word history: The term postscript comes from the Latin post scriptum, which literally means written after.
It entered the English language in the sixteenth century. The abbreviation P S, which you’ve likely seen at the end of letters or emails, stands for postscript.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for postscript include addendum, afterthought, appendix, and codicil.
Antonyms: While there aren’t direct antonyms for postscript, we could consider terms like preface, introduction, or preamble as opposites, since they refer to information added before the main text rather than after.
Examples use in sentences: Here are a few ways to use postscript in a sentence: The author included a lengthy postscript to explain why she chose that particular ending for her novel.
John’s letter was short, but the postscript was twice as long as the main message. The contract seemed straightforward until I read the postscript, which contained several important clauses.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is using postscript as a verb. Remember, it’s a noun. You don’t postscript something; you add a postscript.
Another error is thinking that you can only use postscript in written communication. In modern usage, you might hear someone say postscript in speech to add an afterthought to what they’ve just said.
Understanding words like postscript can enhance your vocabulary and improve your performance on the SAT.
It’s not just about knowing the definition, but also understanding its usage, history, and related words.
This comprehensive knowledge will serve you well in both your test-taking and your everyday communication skills.
