Many English learners and even native speakers get confused about that’s vs thats.
At first glance, the two forms look almost identical, but one follows standard English grammar while the other is considered a spelling mistake.
Understanding that’s vs thats is important for writing emails, essays, business documents, and social media posts correctly.
The confusion usually comes from the apostrophe. Some people accidentally leave it out when typing quickly, especially on phones or keyboards.
This guide explains that’s vs thats, including their meaning, differences, grammar rules, examples, common mistakes, and professional usage so you can use the correct form with confidence.
Quick Answer
- That’s is the correct spelling because it is a contraction of that is or that has.
- Thats (without an apostrophe) is incorrect in standard English.
- In almost every situation, you should use that’s.
That’s vs Thats Comparison Table
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Standard English | Yes | No |
| Dictionary word | Yes | No |
| Contains apostrophe | Yes | No |
| Used in formal writing | Yes | No |
| Meaning | That is / That has | None (spelling error) |
What Does “That’s” Mean?
That’s is a contraction that combines that with is or has.
It can mean:
- That is
- That has
Examples
- That’s a beautiful painting.
- That’s exactly what I wanted.
- That’s been a wonderful experience.
- That’s the correct answer.
In each sentence, the contraction replaces that is or that has.
What Does “Thats” Mean?
Thats is not a recognized English word.
It appears because:
- someone forgot the apostrophe
- typing was done too quickly
- autocorrect failed
- the writer misunderstood contractions
Incorrect Examples
- Thats my phone.
- Thats amazing.
- Thats been a busy week.
All of these should be written with an apostrophe.
Main Difference Between That’s vs Thats
| Aspect | That’s | Thats |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | That is / That has | No meaning |
| Grammar | Correct | Incorrect |
| Used in school writing | Yes | No |
| Business writing | Yes | No |
| Academic writing | Yes | No |
The only difference is the apostrophe—but it makes all the difference in correct English.
Why Is the Apostrophe Important?
An apostrophe shows that letters have been omitted.
For that’s:
- that + is = that’s
- that + has = that’s
Without the apostrophe, the word becomes grammatically incorrect.
Grammar Rule for That’s
Contractions use apostrophes to replace missing letters.
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| That is | That’s |
| That has | That’s |
| It is | It’s |
| She is | She’s |
| He is | He’s |
| They are | They’re |
Remember that apostrophes are used for contractions, not simply for decoration.
Grammar Forms Table
| Form | Part of Speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| That | Pronoun/Determiner | That book is mine. |
| That is | Phrase | That is correct. |
| That’s | Contraction | That’s correct. |
| That has | Phrase | That has happened before. |
| That’s | Contraction | That’s happened before. |
Real-Life Examples
Business
- That’s an excellent proposal.
- That’s the final budget.
Education
- That’s the correct solution.
- That’s what the teacher explained.
Science
- That’s an important discovery.
- That’s been confirmed through testing.
Everyday Conversation
- That’s my favorite restaurant.
- That’s exactly what I meant.
Industry Usage Table
| Industry | Example |
|---|---|
| Business | That’s our quarterly report. |
| Education | That’s the correct formula. |
| Healthcare | That’s the patient’s diagnosis. |
| Journalism | That’s according to officials. |
| Technology | That’s the latest software update. |
| Customer Service | That’s how we can help you. |
When Should You Use “That’s”?
Use that’s whenever you can replace it with:
- that is
- that has
Quick Test
Sentence:
That’s interesting.
Expand it:
That is interesting. ✔
Sentence:
That’s been completed.
Expand it:
That has been completed. ✔
If the expanded version sounds correct, that’s is the right choice.
Common Mistakes
Many writers accidentally omit the apostrophe.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| Thats my laptop. | That’s my laptop. |
| Thats a good idea. | That’s a good idea. |
| Thats been difficult. | That’s been difficult. |
| Thats exactly right. | That’s exactly right. |
Why People Confuse That’s and Thats
Several factors contribute to the confusion:
- Fast typing on phones.
- Forgetting the apostrophe.
- Autocorrect mistakes.
- Limited understanding of contractions.
- Informal texting habits.
In casual messages, people sometimes skip punctuation, but standard English still requires the apostrophe.
Memory Trick
A simple way to remember the correct spelling is:
If you can say “that is” or “that has,” always use an apostrophe.
Think:
- That’s = That is
- That’s = That has
No apostrophe means the word is incorrect.
Writing Tips for Students and Professionals
Always use that’s in:
- essays
- emails
- reports
- presentations
- resumes
- blog posts
- business communication
Avoid writing thats, even in informal situations, if you want your writing to appear polished and professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “thats” a real word?
No. Thats is not a standard English word.
Is “that’s” always correct?
Yes, when it means that is or that has.
Can I use “thats” in formal writing?
No. Formal writing always requires that’s.
Why does “that’s” have an apostrophe?
The apostrophe replaces the missing letters in that is or that has.
Is “that’s” acceptable in academic writing?
Yes. Contractions like that’s are grammatically correct, though some formal academic styles may prefer writing out that is or that has.
What is the easiest way to check?
Replace that’s with that is or that has. If the sentence still makes sense, your usage is correct.
Conclusion
Understanding that’s vs thats is simple once you know the role of the apostrophe. That’s is the correct contraction for that is or that has, making it the only acceptable choice in standard English. Thats is simply a spelling mistake caused by leaving out the apostrophe.
If you’re writing an email, essay, report, or social media post, using that’s correctly will make your writing clearer, more professional, and grammatically accurate.
Julian Wyatt is a passionate researcher and writer who explores symbols, mythology, cultural traditions, and hidden meanings. Through engaging articles, he helps readers uncover the fascinating stories and significance behind symbols worldwide.
