Ever find yourself at the end of an email or letter, a thought pops into your head, and you scribble down a quick 'P.S.'? It’s a common little habit, isn't it? But have you ever stopped to wonder what that 'P.S.' actually means and why we still use it in our digital age?
At its heart, 'P.S.' is a handy little abbreviation that stands for 'postscript.' This term itself comes from the Latin phrase 'postscriptum,' which quite literally translates to 'written after.' And that's precisely its function: to add something that was written after the main body of your message was already completed.
Think of it like this: you've poured your heart out, covered all the essential points, signed off with a friendly closing, and then, bam, another idea strikes. Instead of rewriting the whole thing (which, let's be honest, is rarely appealing), the postscript comes to the rescue. It’s a space for those extra bits of information that didn't quite fit into the flow of the main text, or perhaps a final, often more personal, touch.
Historically, in handwritten letters, a postscript might even appear on the back of the page, a literal 'written after' the main message. In emails, it serves a similar purpose. You might use it to hint at a follow-up email on a different topic, or to add a brief, relevant detail that you forgot to include earlier. It’s a way to signal to the reader that there’s a little something extra, a bonus nugget of information.
However, there's a bit of an art to using a postscript effectively. The reference material I looked at pointed out something important: a P.S. isn't meant to be a dumping ground for every stray thought. If your postscript starts to rival the length of your main message, it probably means you should have incorporated that information into the original text or perhaps sent a separate communication altogether. The idea is for it to be a brief addendum, not a whole new letter.
When it comes to formatting, it’s pretty straightforward. You place your postscript after your signature. You can use 'PS' (more common in the UK) or 'P.S.' (more common in the US). Whichever you choose, just be consistent. And no, you don't need a comma after it. If you find yourself needing to add another thought after your first postscript, that's where 'PPS' (or 'P.P.S.') comes in. But honestly, this is quite rare and best reserved for very informal, lighthearted messages between close friends or family. In professional settings, it can come across as disorganized and might even confuse your reader.
So, the next time you’re about to add a 'P.S.', remember it’s a valuable piece of 'real estate' at the end of your message. Use it wisely to add a final flourish, a helpful reminder, or a gentle nudge, and you'll ensure your message leaves a lasting, positive impression.
