If you have ever wondered whether to write That’s vs Thats, you are not alone. These two forms look almost identical, but they have different grammatical uses. The correct choice depends on whether you need a contraction or a possessive form.That’s is the standard and correct form in English. It is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” For example, “That’s my car” means “That is my car,” while “That’s happened before” means “That has happened before.”
On the other hand, thats without an apostrophe is generally considered incorrect in standard English when you intend to write “that’s.” The apostrophe is important because it shows that letters have been omitted from the original words.Understanding the difference between that’s and thats, apostrophe usage, English contractions, and correct spelling can help you avoid common grammar mistakes.
This guide explains that’s meaning, when to use that’s in a sentence, why “thats” is usually incorrect, and how to remember the difference easily.Whether you are writing an email, school assignment, social media post, or professional document, knowing when to use That’s can make your writing clearer and more accurate.
That’s vs Thats: The Quick Answer
“That’s” is correct in standard English. “Thats” is generally incorrect when you intend the contraction “that’s.”
The apostrophe in “that’s” indicates that letters have been omitted from the original words.
| Form | Standard English? | Meaning | Example |
| that’s | Yes | that is / that has | That’s my jacket. |
| thats | No, when intended as the contraction | — | Thats my jacket. ❌ |
| that | Yes | Several grammatical functions | That jacket is mine. |
There are two possible expansions for “that’s.”
That’s = that is
That’s a great idea.
This means:
That is a great idea.
Or:
That’s = that has
That’s happened before.
This means:
That has happened before.
So when deciding between that’s vs thats, the practical answer is straightforward: use “that’s” when you mean “that is” or “that has.”
What Does “That’s” Mean?
The word “that’s” is a contraction. A contraction combines two words and uses an apostrophe to show that letters have been removed.
In this case, “that’s” can represent two different phrases:
- that is
- that has
Context tells you which meaning applies.
“That’s” as a Contraction of “That Is”
The most common use of “that’s” is as a shortened form of “that is.”
For example:
That’s my car.
The expanded version is:
That is my car.
Here, “that’s” identifies or describes something.
Consider a few more examples:
- That’s the restaurant I mentioned.
- That’s a beautiful painting.
- That’s exactly what I wanted.
- That’s not the answer.
- That’s an interesting question.
In each sentence, you can replace “that’s” with “that is” without changing the basic meaning.
“That’s” as a Contraction of “That Has”
Less obviously, “that’s” can also mean “that has.”
For example:
That’s been a difficult experience.
The expanded sentence is:
That has been a difficult experience.
Here, “that’s” doesn’t mean “that is.” It means “that has.”
This distinction becomes especially useful when “that’s” appears before a past participle.
Examples include:
- That’s happened before.
- That’s been my experience.
- That’s changed considerably.
- That’s caused several problems.
- That’s become increasingly common.
Try expanding one:
That’s happened before.
becomes:
That has happened before.
The sentence still works naturally. Therefore, “that’s” is correct.
What Does “Thats” Mean?
In standard English, “thats” is generally not the correct spelling when you mean “that’s.”
The missing apostrophe matters because “that’s” represents a contraction.
For example:
Thats my book. ❌
The standard version is:
That’s my book. ✅
The same issue appears in sentences such as:
I think thats enough. ❌
Correct:
I think that’s enough. ✅
You may still see “thats” online, especially in quick messages, social media posts, comments, or informal writing. People often leave out apostrophes while typing quickly.
However, frequent digital usage doesn’t make the spelling standard.
If you’re writing an article, essay, email, application, report, or professional message, use “that’s.”
Why Does “That’s” Need an Apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows that part of the original phrase has been removed.
Take:
that is
When the words are contracted, the apostrophe appears where the omitted letters would be:
that’s
The same basic principle appears in many familiar contractions:
| Full form | Contraction |
| it is | it’s |
| she is | she’s |
| he is | he’s |
| we are | we’re |
| they are | they’re |
| you are | you’re |
| that is | that’s |
| that has | that’s |
The apostrophe isn’t decorative. It gives the reader grammatical information.
Without it, “thats” doesn’t function as the standard contraction of “that is” or “that has.”
A Simple Way to Think About the Apostrophe
Imagine the apostrophe as a small sign saying, “Some letters are missing here.”
For “that’s,” the apostrophe signals that the word comes from a longer form.
That makes the spelling easier to understand:
that + ’s → that’s
The same pattern appears in:
she + ’s → she’s
and
he + ’s → he’s
Once you recognize the pattern, that’s vs thats becomes much easier.
That’s vs Thats: Key Differences
The difference between the two forms comes down mainly to standard spelling and grammatical function.
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
| Apostrophe | Yes | No |
| Standard contraction | Yes | No |
| Can mean “that is” | Yes | No |
| Can mean “that has” | Yes | No |
| Appropriate in standard writing | Yes | Generally no |
| Example | That’s my house. | Thats my house. ❌ |
The apostrophe separates the standard contraction from the common spelling mistake.
Compare These Sentences
Correct:
That’s the movie I told you about.
Incorrect:
Thats the movie I told you about.
The meaning is usually obvious even in the second sentence. However, standard English spelling requires the apostrophe.
That distinction matters more in formal writing because readers expect conventional grammar and punctuation.
When to Use “That’s”
You can use “that’s” whenever it correctly represents “that is” or “that has.”
To Describe Something
Use “that’s” when you want to describe or identify something.
Examples:
- That’s a huge building.
- That’s an excellent question.
- That’s a strange sound.
- That’s an expensive watch.
You can expand each contraction:
That’s an excellent question.
becomes:
That is an excellent question.
The sentence still makes sense.
To Identify Something
You can also use “that’s” to identify a person, object, place, idea, or situation.
Examples:
- That’s my brother.
- That’s our house.
- That’s the correct answer.
- That’s the file you need.
- That’s the problem.
The contraction keeps the sentence natural and conversational.
To Give an Opinion or Reaction
English speakers frequently use “that’s” when reacting to information.
Examples:
- That’s amazing.
- That’s surprising.
- That’s unfortunate.
- That’s interesting.
- That’s not fair.
These expressions are especially common in everyday conversation.
Before a Past Participle
When “that’s” means “that has,” it often appears before a past participle.
For example:
That’s changed a lot.
means:
That has changed a lot.
Other examples include:
- That’s happened several times.
- That’s become a serious issue.
- That’s caused confusion.
- That’s been discussed already.
- That’s improved significantly.
This is an important clue when determining what “that’s” means.
When Not to Use “That’s”
Not every sentence containing “that” requires “that’s.”
This is where some writers make a different mistake. They see “that” and automatically add ’s.
Consider:
That book belongs to me.
You cannot change this to:
That’s book belongs to me. ❌
Why? Because “that” is functioning as a determiner before the noun “book.” It isn’t a contraction.
Another example:
I know that you are busy.
Here, “that” introduces a clause. It doesn’t mean “that is” or “that has.”
So the correct form remains:
I know that you are busy.
Not:
I know that’s you are busy. ❌
The apostrophe test prevents this mistake.
How to Remember That’s vs Thats
Use this quick method whenever you’re unsure.
The “Expand It” Test
Take the word “that’s” and replace it with:
- that is
- that has
If one of those versions works, “that’s” is correct.
For example:
That’s my seat.
Try:
That is my seat.
It works.
Therefore:
That’s my seat. ✅
Now try:
That’s happened before.
Replace it with:
That has happened before.
It works again.
Therefore:
That’s happened before. ✅
What About “Thats”?
If you’re considering “thats,” ask whether you actually mean:
that is
or
that has
If yes, write “that’s.”
This tiny check can eliminate a surprisingly common punctuation mistake.
That’s vs Thats in Formal Writing
Standard writing requires “that’s” when you use the contraction.
This applies to many forms of writing, including:
- School assignments
- College essays
- Business emails
- Reports
- Blog posts
- Articles
- Professional documents
- Applications
- Website content
For example:
That’s the main reason for the change.
is correctly written.
You can also choose the longer form:
That is the main reason for the change.
The choice between the contraction and the full form often depends on tone and emphasis.
A formal report may favor “that is” in some contexts. A conversational article might naturally use “that’s.”
However, replacing the apostrophe with nothing isn’t the standard solution.
That’s and that is are both valid. Thats is generally not.
That’s vs Thats in Texting and Social Media
Digital communication often follows different habits from edited writing.
People may type:
thats crazy
instead of:
that’s crazy
They may also omit apostrophes in other contractions:
- dont instead of don’t
- cant instead of can’t
- youre instead of you’re
- its instead of it’s
The meaning may remain obvious. Speed often takes priority over punctuation in casual messages.
Still, context matters.
If you’re chatting casually with a friend, a missing apostrophe may not cause confusion. In a professional email or published article, however, “that’s” is the appropriate standard form.
Common Mistakes With “That’s”
Writing “Thats” Instead of “That’s”
This is the most direct mistake.
Incorrect:
Thats a good idea.
Correct:
That’s a good idea.
The apostrophe indicates the contraction of “that is.”
Confusing “That’s” With “That”
These words don’t always perform the same grammatical job.
Compare:
That’s my car.
Here, “that’s” means “that is.”
Now compare:
That car is mine.
Here, “that” describes which car you’re talking about.
Another example:
I know that she left.
In this sentence, “that” introduces the following clause.
Adding an apostrophe would change the grammar and create an error.
Assuming Pronunciation Determines the Spelling
In ordinary speech, contractions often sound like natural parts of the sentence. You might not consciously notice the distinction between the full phrase and contraction.
Writing works differently.
Even if the pronunciation doesn’t make the apostrophe obvious, standard spelling still requires it.
That’s why hearing a sentence isn’t always enough to decide between that’s vs thats.
Adding an Apostrophe Automatically
The opposite mistake is adding “’s” whenever you see “that.”
For example:
That’s house is beautiful. ❌
If you mean a particular house, the correct sentence is:
That house is beautiful. ✅
The contraction “that’s” means “that is” or “that has.” It doesn’t mean simply “that.”
That’s vs Thats Examples
The following examples show how the correct form works in everyday writing.
| Incorrect | Correct | Expanded Meaning |
| Thats my jacket. | That’s my jacket. | That is my jacket. |
| I think thats enough. | I think that’s enough. | I think that is enough. |
| Thats what I meant. | That’s what I meant. | That is what I meant. |
| Thats been a problem. | That’s been a problem. | That has been a problem. |
| I know thats true. | I know that’s true. | I know that is true. |
| Thats a good point. | That’s a good point. | That is a good point. |
| Thats happened before. | That’s happened before. | That has happened before. |
| Thats the reason. | That’s the reason. | That is the reason. |
| Thats changed recently. | That’s changed recently. | That has changed recently. |
| Thats not what I said. | That’s not what I said. | That is not what I said. |
Notice how the same apostrophe pattern works whether “that’s” means “that is” or “that has.”
That’s vs Thats in Questions
Questions create another useful distinction.
Consider:
Is that your car?
This sentence is correct.
You shouldn’t write:
Is that’s your car? ❌
Why? Because the sentence doesn’t require the contraction “that is.”
You are asking whether something is the person’s car.
However, “that’s” can appear naturally in other questions:
That’s your car, right?
Here, “that’s” means:
That is your car, right?
Another example:
Why’s that?
This contraction means:
Why is that?
So the presence of a question doesn’t automatically determine whether you need “that” or “that’s.” The grammatical structure does.
That’s vs Thats vs That
These three forms are easy to confuse because they look almost identical.
Their functions differ considerably.
| Word | Main role | Example |
| that | Pronoun, determiner, conjunction, or relative word | That book is mine. |
| that’s | Contraction of “that is” or “that has” | That’s my book. |
| thats | Nonstandard spelling when intended as the contraction | Thats my book. ❌ |
“That” as a Determiner
That house is expensive.
Here, “that” points to a particular house.
“That” as a Pronoun
That is mine.
Here, “that” stands on its own.
Notice something interesting: “That is mine” can become:
That’s mine.
The contraction is formed by combining that + is.
“That” as a Conjunction
I know that you understand.
Here, “that” connects the main clause with another clause.
You cannot turn it into “that’s” simply because the word appears in the sentence.
Is “Thats” Ever Correct?
In ordinary standard English, “thats” is not the accepted spelling of the contraction “that’s.”
However, you may encounter the exact string “thats” in special contexts.
For example, it could appear as:
- A username
- A brand name
- A stylized title
- A fictional name
- A deliberately informal spelling
- A typographical error
These uses don’t change the standard grammatical rule.
If someone intentionally creates a username called “thatsomething,” the name can retain that spelling. Proper names and branding don’t necessarily follow ordinary dictionary spelling conventions.
For normal English sentences, however, use “that’s.”
That’s vs Thats: A Practical Case Study
Imagine you’re writing a message to a coworker.
Your first draft says:
Thats the document I was looking for.
The meaning is perfectly understandable. Still, the spelling contains a problem.
Apply the expansion test:
Thats → That is
Now the sentence becomes:
That is the document I was looking for.
The expansion works. Therefore, the contraction should be:
That’s the document I was looking for.
Now consider another sentence:
Thats changed since last year.
Expand it:
That has changed since last year.
That also works.
So the correct version is:
That’s changed since last year.
This example shows why the apostrophe isn’t merely cosmetic. It represents the omitted letters in a contraction.
A Quick “That’s” Grammar Checklist
Before publishing or sending your writing, check the following:
- Does “that’s” mean “that is”?
- Does “that’s” mean “that has”?
- Would the expanded phrase make sense?
- Did you include the apostrophe?
- Are you accidentally using “that’s” where you need “that”?
- Are you writing in a standard or formal context?
If “that is” or “that has” fits naturally, “that’s” is usually the correct choice.
Common Examples You Can Use
Here are several natural sentences featuring “that’s.”
Examples With “That Is”
- That’s my favorite restaurant.
- That’s exactly what I needed.
- That’s a difficult question.
- That’s the person I mentioned.
- That’s not what happened.
- That’s a useful suggestion.
- That’s why I called you.
- That’s the main difference.
Examples With “That Has”
- That’s happened before.
- That’s been a recurring issue.
- That’s changed dramatically.
- That’s caused some confusion.
- That’s become increasingly common.
- That’s improved over time.
- That’s already been discussed.
The context determines whether “that’s” means “that is” or “that has.”
Why the Apostrophe Matters in English
Apostrophes perform several jobs in English. One of their most familiar functions is creating contractions.
Consider these examples:
- I am → I’m
- you are → you’re
- we are → we’re
- they are → they’re
- do not → don’t
- cannot → can’t
- that is → that’s
- that has → that’s
Removing the apostrophe from these contractions changes their standard written form.
For example:
I’m ready.
is standard.
Im ready.
is missing the apostrophe.
The same principle applies to:
That’s correct.
rather than:
Thats correct.
The punctuation may be tiny, but it communicates the grammatical structure.
That’s vs Thats: How to Correct the Error
If you find “thats” in your writing, don’t simply add an apostrophe everywhere.
First, check the sentence.
Step One: Identify the Intended Meaning
Ask:
Do I mean “that is” or “that has”?
If yes, use “that’s.”
Step Two: Check the Sentence
For example:
Thats my problem.
Expand it:
That is my problem.
It works.
Correct:
That’s my problem.
Step Three: Make Sure You Don’t Actually Need “That”
Consider:
That book is mine.
Here, “that” is correct.
You aren’t saying:
That is book is mine.
So don’t write “that’s.”
This three-step process catches both major mistakes.
That’s or Thats: Which One Should You Use?
For standard English writing, choose “that’s.”
Use it when you mean:
- that is
- that has
Use “that” when the grammar calls for the standalone word.
Avoid “thats” when you’re trying to write the standard contraction.
Quick Comparison
That’s my car. ✅
Thats my car. ❌
That car is mine. ✅
These sentences demonstrate the distinction clearly.
Conclusion
The difference between That’s vs Thats is simple once you understand the role of the apostrophe. That’s is the standard form and is used as a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” For example, “That’s a great idea” means “That is a great idea.”Thats, without an apostrophe, is generally incorrect in standard English when you mean “that’s.” The apostrophe is not optional because it indicates that letters have been removed.A quick way to check your sentence is to replace that’s with “that is” or “that has.” If the sentence still makes sense, that’s is probably the correct choice.Remember: That’s = that is / that has, while thats = usually incorrect in standard English.
FAQs
Is “thats” a correct word?
Thats is generally not correct in standard English when you mean “that’s.” Use the apostrophe in that’s.
What does “that’s” mean?
That’s is a contraction that can mean “that is” or “that has.”
What is the difference between that’s and thats?
That’s contains an apostrophe and is the standard contraction of “that is” or “that has.” Thats without an apostrophe is generally a spelling error in this context.
Is “that’s” short for “that is”?
Yes. That’s can be short for “that is.” For example, “That’s beautiful” means “That is beautiful.”
Can “that’s” mean “that has”?
Yes. That’s can also be a contraction of “that has.” For example, “That’s been difficult” means “That has been difficult.”
Should I use “thats” in formal writing?
No. In standard formal English, use “that’s” when you mean “that is” or “that has.”
Why does “that’s” have an apostrophe?
The apostrophe indicates that letters have been omitted when two words are shortened into a contraction.
Which is correct: “That’s my book” or “Thats my book”?
“That’s my book” is correct because that’s means “that is.”
Is “thats” ever acceptable?
In standard English writing, thats is generally not acceptable as a replacement for that’s. It may appear informally as a typo or in contexts where an apostrophe is intentionally omitted, but standard writing uses that’s.
How can I remember the difference between that’s and thats?
Remember this simple rule: If you mean “that is” or “that has,” use “that’s” with an apostrophe.
