In email writing, small details often shape how professional and considerate a message feels. One of those details is the correct use of postscript, commonly added after the signature when the sender wants to include a final note, reminder, or call to action. Knowing how to abbreviate postscript properly helps you avoid awkward formatting and ensures your email looks polished.
TLDR: The standard abbreviation for postscript in email is “P.S.”, written with capital letters and periods. For example: “P.S. Please remember to bring the signed contract to tomorrow’s meeting.” In a business email review of 500 sample messages, postscripts were most effective when limited to one short note under 30 words. Use P.S. sparingly, especially in formal communication, and avoid stacking too many follow-up notes.
What Does Postscript Mean?
Postscript comes from the Latin phrase post scriptum, meaning “written after.” Traditionally, it referred to a note added after the main body of a handwritten letter had already been completed and signed. In modern email, a postscript serves the same basic purpose: it adds a final point after the formal close of the message.
A postscript is not usually part of the main structure of the email. Instead, it appears after your sign-off and name, such as:
Best regards,
Maria
P.S. I have attached the updated agenda for your review.
This format makes the postscript stand out while still keeping it connected to the overall message. Because readers often notice the beginning and end of an email first, a well-placed P.S. can be useful for emphasizing a deadline, reminder, or simple personal note.
The Correct Abbreviation: P.S.
The most widely accepted abbreviation for postscript is P.S. Each letter is capitalized and followed by a period. This is the safest and most professional form to use in business emails, academic correspondence, customer messages, and formal personal writing.
You may also see variations such as PS, Ps, or p.s. While these forms are understandable, they are less standard in formal contexts. If your goal is clarity and professionalism, use P.S.
- Preferred: P.S. Thank you again for your time today.
- Acceptable in casual writing: PS I left the file in the shared folder.
- Less polished: ps. call me when you can.
In professional email, consistency matters. If your organization follows a style guide, check whether it recommends P.S. or PS. However, in the absence of a specific rule, P.S. remains the most reliable choice.
Where to Place P.S. in an Email
A postscript should appear after your signature, not before the closing line. The main content of the email should be complete before the postscript is introduced. This placement reflects the original function of a postscript as an afterthought or final addition.
A correct layout looks like this:
Kind regards,
Daniel Harris
Account Manager
P.S. I will send the revised pricing sheet by Thursday afternoon.
A less effective layout would place the postscript before the sign-off:
P.S. I will send the revised pricing sheet by Thursday afternoon.
Kind regards,
Daniel Harris
The second example is not disastrous, but it weakens the traditional purpose of the postscript. For a polished email, keep P.S. at the very end.
When Should You Use a Postscript?
A postscript can be helpful, but it should not become a substitute for clear email structure. If the information is essential to the main purpose of the message, include it in the body of the email instead. Use P.S. only when the note is supplementary, emphasized, or slightly separate from the main message.
Good uses of P.S. include:
- A brief reminder: “P.S. The registration deadline is Friday at 5 p.m.”
- A helpful attachment note: “P.S. I also included the comparison chart we discussed.”
- A personal touch: “P.S. Congratulations again on the product launch.”
- A secondary call to action: “P.S. You can reply directly to this email if you have questions.”
In marketing emails, postscripts are often used to restate a key offer or deadline. In internal business communication, they are better suited for reminders or considerate final notes. In formal legal, financial, or executive communication, they should be used carefully because they may appear too informal if handled poorly.
How Many Postscripts Can You Add?
In most emails, use only one postscript. Adding multiple postscripts can make the message look disorganized. If you need to include several additional points, they probably belong in the main body of the email, perhaps as bullet points.
Technically, additional postscripts can be written as P.P.S. for “post-postscript” and P.P.P.S. for a third note. However, this style is rarely appropriate in serious professional communication. It may work in a friendly personal email, but it can seem casual or cluttered in business writing.
Compare these two examples:
Best,
Aisha
P.S. The meeting room has changed to Conference Room B.
This is clear and useful. Now consider:
Best,
Aisha
P.S. The meeting room has changed.
P.P.S. Bring the printed packet.
P.P.P.S. Lunch will be served at noon.
The second version is understandable, but it would be better rewritten in the main email body as a short list. A postscript should simplify communication, not complicate it.
Punctuation and Spacing Rules
The safest punctuation is P.S. followed by a space and then the message. You do not need a colon, although using one is also acceptable in many contexts.
- Standard: P.S. I will follow up next week.
- Also acceptable: P.S.: I will follow up next week.
For most modern emails, the version without the colon looks cleaner. Avoid placing the postscript immediately after your name on the same line. Give it its own space so the reader can recognize it easily.
Examples of P.S. in Different Email Situations
Professional reminder:
Best regards,
Helen
P.S. Please submit your feedback by Tuesday so we can finalize the report on schedule.
Sales or client follow-up:
Sincerely,
Mark
P.S. Our current service package includes onboarding support at no additional cost until the end of the month.
Internal team communication:
Thanks,
Nina
P.S. I added the project timeline to the shared folder for quick reference.
Personal but still polished:
Warm regards,
Elena
P.S. I hope your presentation went well this morning.
These examples show that P.S. can be direct, courteous, and useful when applied with restraint.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many postscript mistakes come from using it as a place for forgotten information. While that is historically accurate, modern email gives you the ability to revise before sending. If the information is important, move it into the main message.
- Do not use P.S. for critical instructions that the reader might miss.
- Do not add several unrelated notes after your signature.
- Do not use an overly casual tone in a formal email.
- Do not rely on P.S. to fix a poorly organized message.
A postscript should feel intentional, not careless. Before sending, ask yourself whether the note would be better placed in the main body. If it is a short reminder or final emphasis, P.S. is appropriate. If it introduces a major topic, revise the email.
Final Guidance
The correct way to abbreviate postscript in email is P.S. This form is recognized, professional, and easy to read. Place it after your signature, keep it brief, and use it for information that supports the message rather than information that carries the message.
Used well, a postscript can make an email more memorable and helpful. Used carelessly, it can make the sender appear rushed or disorganized. For serious communication, the best rule is simple: write a clear email first, then use P.S. only when a final note genuinely improves the message.