That’s or Thats – Which Is Correct?

I still remember the confusion I felt when I first noticed the difference between thats and that’s in an email I sent to a client. A small apostrophe might look like a tiny mark, but in English, this bit of punctuation completely changes the meaning. The version with the apostrophe — that’s — is a contraction of either that is or that has, and it’s the correct form in most written sentences. Without it, thats becomes a mistake that affects grammar, spelling, and clarity. It may seem simple, but this small mark holds a big role in communication, whether in formal writing or casual texting.

Over time, my understanding of this rule grew through learning and attention to detail. I realized how a missing apostrophe or misplaced symbol could change the whole message. The difference between the two forms might appear minor, yet mastering it brings confidence and makes your language feel more professional and proper. Every form, usage, and context adds to your grammar correctness and helps your words sound clear and obvious. Once that confusion begins to fade, your communication becomes smoother, and your writing feels naturally informal or formal depending on the context — always with the right touch of precision and meaning.

Why “That’s” vs “Thats” Confuses So Many People

You type a quick message: “Thats great!” But then you hesitate—is that really right? Many of us misplace or omit an apostrophe without thinking. That little mark often feels optional—but in English writing, it’s not. It matters.

The confusion around “that’s” and “thats” arises because the spoken language flows easily, and our fingers move fast. We don’t hear the apostrophe; we just hear “thats”. Visually, shaving the apostrophe might seem harmless—but the meaning shifts.

In this guide you’ll:

• Understand the difference between “that’s” and “thats”.
• See when “that’s” means “that is” or “that has”.
• Learn why “thats” is almost always incorrect in standard English.
• Practice real-life examples and quick fixes.
• Gain memory tricks so you’ll spot the right form in a flash.

Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Difference Between “That’s” and “Thats”

What “that’s” means

The form “that’s” is a contraction combining two words: “that” + “is”, or “that” + “has”. According to the Collins Dictionary, that’s is a contraction of that is or that has. Collins Dictionary+2grammarwhisper.com+2

When you see “that’s”, ask: does it make sense to read it as “that is” or “that has”? If the sentence still works, then “that’s” is the correct form. For example: “That’s the problem” → “That is the problem”.

Why “thats” is usually wrong

The term “thats” (without the apostrophe) is not a standard word in English. It generally doesn’t represent a contraction or possessive in correct formal grammar. Using “thats” in place of “that’s” creates a mistake—one that might undermine clarity and professionalism.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Form	Type	Meaning	Example
that’s	Contraction	“that is” / “that has”	That’s my car.
thats	Incorrect usage	No valid usage in standard grammar	Thats my car. (wrong)

From this table it’s clearer: choose “that’s” when you mean “that is” or “that has”. Otherwise, “thats” usually signals a typo or oversight.

The Correct Usage of “That’s” in Sentences

Let’s explore how to use “that’s” correctly in different contexts.

When it means “that is”

This is the most common usage. You’re pointing to something, defining it, or stating a fact.

Examples:

• That’s the reason I came early. (→ That is the reason I came early.)
• That’s a big decision. (→ That is a big decision.)
• That’s not what I meant. (→ That is not what I meant.)

When it means “that has”

Less common, but still valid—especially when the sentence implies a perfect tense or possession.

Examples:

• That’s been the best day of my life. (→ That has been the best day …)
• That’s got to be the spot. (→ That has got to be the spot.)
• That’s happened before. (→ That has happened before.)

Context clues to determine meaning

Here are some tips to spot which meaning applies:

• If what follows helps define or identify something, use “that is”.
• If the verb that follows is in the past participle (e.g., been, gone, done), then “that has” likely fits.
• Replace “that’s” with “that is” or “that has” in your head. If one version reads smoothly, that’s the meaning.

Example table with both meanings

Sentence	Replace with “that is”	Replace with “that has”	Meaning
That’s the last time I’ll say it.	That is the last time I’ll…	—	That is
That’s been an adventure.	—	That has been an adventure.	That has
That’s my friend over there.	That is my friend …	—	That is
That’s worked out well.	—	That has worked out well.	That has

Using the table as a reference helps your brain internalize the rule.

Common Mistakes: Why People Write “Thats”

Let’s look at why “thats” pops up so often—and how you can avoid the trap.

Typing and autocorrect errors

When you type fast or on your phone, the apostrophe might get skipped. Autocorrect might even silently transform that’s into thats. It’s easy, understandable—but avoidable.

Lack of contraction awareness

Many writers don’t pause to think, Does this “that’s” mean “that is” or “that has”? Without that awareness, they default to dropping the apostrophe entirely—especially in informal writing (texts, quick emails).

Influence of social media and informal writing

In casual posts, people often eschew punctuation, thinking it doesn’t matter. But the effect is cumulative: sloppy, repeated errors undermine readability and credibility.

Real-world misuse examples

Consider:

• “Thats the way we’ve always done it.”
  → Correct: “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”
• “Thats never been done before.”
  → Correct: “That’s never been done before.”

Both examples show how missing the apostrophe turned correct contractions into incorrect forms.

Quick fix suggestions

• Use a grammar checker or spell-checker—many will catch “thats” where “that’s” is intended.
• Read your writing out loud. If you mentally supply “that is” or “that has”, then you need “that’s”.
• Create a personal shortcut: whenever you type thats, get in the habit of adding the apostrophe.

Grammar Deep Dive: Understanding Contractions in English

What is a contraction?

A contraction shortens two (or sometimes three) words into one by dropping letters and replacing them with an apostrophe. Scribbr+1

For example:

• do not → don’t
• it is → it’s
• they are → they’re

Historical background

Contractions have been in use for centuries. Writers like Shakespeare used forms like ’tis (it is) and ’twas (it was). University of Sussex+1 Nowadays, we use contractions more in informal writing because they reflect spoken language.

Why apostrophes matter

The apostrophe marks the missing letters. Without it, you might end up with a totally different word (or no recognized word at all). For example:

• its (possessive form) vs it’s (contraction of it is/has)
• lets (permits) vs let’s (let us)

So when you drop the apostrophe in that’s, you remove the link to “that is/has” and can inadvertently imply something else—or nothing at all.

Similar confusion examples

Confusable Pair	Correct Usage	Note
Its vs It’s	It’s raining. vs The dog chased its tail.	Possessive vs contraction
Your vs You’re	You’re amazing. vs Your idea rocks.	You are vs your
Lets vs Let’s	Let’s go. vs He lets you speak.	Let us vs allow

By understanding contraction forms generally, you’ll avoid the “thats” trap too.

Why Grammar Accuracy Matters in Writing

The impact on professional writing

Imagine you send an email to a client and it starts: “Thats the plan.” The missing apostrophe signals a rushed or careless message. In contrast, “That’s the plan.” reads as polished and correct. Grammar errors—even minor ones—can erode trust.

Clarity in communication

Writing clearly means fewer misunderstandings. Using the correct “that’s” tells readers precisely what you mean. If you write “Thats been handled,” a reader may pause and wonder: is “thats” a word I’m not familiar with? The clarity dissolves.

Credibility and readability

Well-punctuated writing gets taken more seriously. Frequent grammar slips distract readers, interrupt flow, and reduce engagement. One tiny mark—the apostrophe—can thus carry disproportionate weight.

Quote from a writing guide

“Contractions are words where letters are dropped, and an apostrophe shows the missing letters.” — ThoughtCo ThoughtCo

That quote reminds us: apostrophes serve a purpose. They aren’t optional decoration.

Everyday Examples of “That’s” in Context

Let’s put what you’ve learned into real-life sentences. Mix casual, formal, and business contexts so you’ll spot “that’s” everywhere.

Conversational usage

• That’s awesome news!
• That’s exactly what I was talking about.
• That’s gone better than I expected.

Formal writing examples

• That’s the most compelling evidence to date.
• If that’s the case, we’ll proceed accordingly.
• That’s been documented in full.

Business communication

• That’s our target for Q4.
• If that’s acceptable, let’s move forward.
• That’s been approved by the board.

Practice quiz – Fill in the blank

Choose whether to use that’s or thats:

1. ___ the policy you mentioned?
2. ___ never been easier to access this feature.
3. ___ the reason we’re launching next week.
4. ___ a great opportunity for our team.

Answers:

1. That’s the policy you mentioned.
2. That’s never been easier to access this feature.
3. That’s the reason we’re launching next week.
4. That’s a great opportunity for our team.

Special Case: Honda That’s – When “Thats” Isn’t a Mistake

Yes, there is a rare situation where “Thats” isn’t wrong—when it’s part of a proper noun or brand name. For example:

• The car model Honda That’s uses “That’s” in its name as a trademark and branding choice.

In such cases:

• The apostrophe may reflect branding rather than grammar.
• The word isn’t functioning as a contraction.
• You treat the name exactly as the brand spells it—even if it breaks the usual grammar rule.

Key takeaway: If you’re referencing a branded name or proper noun that uses “Thats” or “That’s” intentionally, follow the trademark. But in standard writing you’re rarely referencing such exceptions.

Quick Memory Tricks to Remember the Difference

Making grammar stick gets easier when you use tricks. Here are some to keep your writing error-free:

• Mnemonic: “If it’s missing the apostrophe, it’s missing meaning.”
• Visual: Picture the apostrophe as a tiny bridge between “that” and “is/has”. Without it, the words pull apart.
• Shortcut check: In your head, replace “that’s” with “that is” and “that has”. If one makes sense, you’re good.
• Habit: Whenever you type thats, pause and ask yourself: “Is it ‘that is’ or ‘that has’?” If yes → add apostrophe. If no → maybe pick a different phrase altogether.

These tricks work because they link a small punctuation mark to a clear mental check. Use them and you’ll spot errors before they confuse your reader.

FAQs

Q1: What does “that’s” mean?

That’s is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” It’s the correct form used in both formal writing and everyday texting.

Q2: When should I use “thats”?

You should never use thats in English — it’s a misspelling caused by a missing apostrophe. Always use that’s instead.

Q3: Why is the apostrophe important?

The apostrophe shows that a contraction is being used. Without it, your sentence can lose its meaning or sound incorrect.

Q4: How can I remember the difference easily?

Think of that’s as a short form of “that is.” If you can replace the word with “that is” and it makes sense, use the apostrophe.

Q5: Is “that’s” acceptable in professional writing?

Yes, that’s is perfectly fine in professional and formal writing when used naturally. However, in very formal documents, you might prefer the full form “that is.”

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between thats and that’s might seem like a small part of English grammar, but it has a huge impact on how your writing is received. The apostrophe is not just a tiny mark — it carries meaning, clarity, and correctness. Using that’s correctly shows confidence, attention to detail, and a strong grasp of language rules, while thats without the apostrophe is simply a mistake. Whether your communication is formal or informal, mastering this contraction ensures your sentences look polished, professional, and easy to read. In short, once you understand this simple rule, your writing becomes more clear, proper, and naturally fluent.

Additional Resources

• Grammarly Blog – Contractions — Explains how contractions work in English. Grammarly
  
• San José State University Writing Center: Contractions PDF — Official list of common contractions. San José State University
  
• ThoughtCo: What Are Contractions? — Deep dive into contraction usage and errors. ThoughtCo