What does postscript mean?
Word: Postscript
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Postscript means a short extra message written below the signature of a letter, usually after the letters PS.
Synonyms: afterthought
Word origin: From Latin postscriptum, meaning written afterwards.
How do you spell postscript?
Syllables: post - script
Tricky part: Spoken fast, the middle shrinks to one hiss, so students write poscript or postcript; the full spelling keeps t, s and c side by side.
Watch out for: poscript, postcript, postscipt
Memory tip: The PS at the foot of a letter is short for this very word, and its S is your reminder that a second s follows the t.
Postscript in a sentence
Example 1: Nani added a postscript to her letter: 'Don't forget to water my tulsi plant.'
Example 2: In the postscript to her email, Meera reminded everyone to bring their library books.
Example 3: Our English teacher said a postscript should be short, because the main message belongs in the letter itself.
Fun Fact
A second afterthought added below a postscript is usually marked PPS, short for post-postscript.
Practise the CREST Way
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
Postscript comes from Latin postscriptum, built on the verb scribere, to write. Which of these words comes from the same Latin verb?
a) design
b) describe
c) desire
d) decide
Show answer
b) describe. Describe goes back to Latin describere, built on scribere; desire, decide and design come from other Latin words.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) postscript
b) signature
c) calligrafy
d) manuscript
Show answer
c) calligrafy. Calligraphy writes its f sound as ph, just as graphic and paragraph do.
Word Tally
Give 3 marks for each misspelt word. How many marks in all?
postscript, envelope, adress, parcel, recieve
a) 12
b) 3
c) 6
d) 9
Show answer
c) 6. Address doubles its d, and receive puts e before i after the c, so two words are wrong: 2 x 3 = 6 marks.
Spell Probe
Fill the blanks with 'o' and 'i'. Which option gives the meaning of that word?
1. p__stscr__pt 2. tr__nscr__pt 3. s__bscr__be 4. m__nuscr__pt
a) a written or printed copy of words that were spoken
b) to pay regularly to receive a magazine or a service
c) a note added at the end of a letter, after it has been signed
d) a book or document written by hand or typed before printing
Show answer
c) a note added at the end of a letter, after it has been signed. With o and i in its gaps you get postscript; transcript and manuscript take a in the first gap, and subscribe takes u.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In which of these would you most expect to find a postscript?
a) a handwritten letter to a friend
b) a school report card
c) a printed railway timetable
d) a list of things to buy
Show answer
a) a handwritten letter to a friend
2. The film's postscript showed the players ten years later. Here postscript means ___.
a) the opening music and titles
b) the list of the actors' names
c) a scene cut out before release
d) a short section added at the end
Show answer
d) a short section added at the end
