Good writing isn’t just about using impressive vocabulary—it also depends on grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Even a tiny punctuation mark like an apostrophe can completely change whether a sentence is considered correct. One of the most common mistakes English learners, students, and even native speakers make is confusing that’s with thats.
Understanding the difference helps improve your writing skills, builds confidence, and makes your communication more professional. Whether you’re writing essays, emails, blog posts, social media captions, or creative stories, knowing when to use that’s correctly will help you avoid one of the most frequent grammar errors in English.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the meaning of that’s, why thats is incorrect, grammar rules, apostrophe usage, sentence examples, comparison tables, common mistakes, writing tips, and practical exercises to master this topic once and for all.
What Does “That’s” Mean?
That’s is a contraction in English.
It combines two words:
- That + is
- That + has
The apostrophe replaces the missing letter(s), making the sentence shorter and more natural.
Examples (That + Is)
- That’s my favorite book.
- That’s exactly what I wanted.
- That’s a beautiful painting.
- That’s not the answer.
- That’s an interesting idea.
Here, that’s = that is.
Examples (That + Has)
Sometimes that’s means that has.
Examples:
- That’s been happening for years.
- That’s become a common mistake.
- That’s already finished.
- That’s never happened before.
- That’s always impressed me.
Here, that’s = that has.
Is “Thats” a Real Word?
No.
Thats (without an apostrophe) is not considered correct English.
Whenever you want to write the contraction of that is or that has, you must include the apostrophe.
✅ Correct
- That’s wonderful.
- That’s my house.
- That’s exactly right.
❌ Incorrect
- Thats wonderful.
- Thats my house.
- Thats exactly right.
Spell checkers, grammar checkers, and academic writing standards all recognize thats as an error.
That’s vs Thats: Quick Comparison
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
| Correct English | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Has an apostrophe | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Means “that is” | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Means “that has” | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Accepted in academic writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Accepted in business writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dictionary word | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Why the Apostrophe Matters
An apostrophe isn’t just punctuation—it carries meaning.
In contractions, an apostrophe shows that letters have been omitted.
Examples include:
| Full Form | Contraction |
| It is | It’s |
| She is | She’s |
| He is | He’s |
| They are | They’re |
| We are | We’re |
| That is | That’s |
Without the apostrophe, the contraction becomes incorrect.
Think of the apostrophe as a shortcut marker.
When to Use “That’s”
Use that’s whenever you can replace it with that is or that has.
Describing Something
- That’s a smart decision.
- That’s a difficult question.
- That’s an exciting opportunity.
Pointing Something Out
- That’s the restaurant we visited.
- That’s the building across the street.
- That’s the correct answer.
Giving Opinions
- That’s amazing.
- That’s unbelievable.
- That’s fantastic.
- That’s disappointing.
Storytelling
- That’s when everything changed.
- That’s where the adventure began.
- That’s how I learned the lesson.
Everyday Conversation
- That’s okay.
- That’s fine.
- That’s enough.
- That’s perfect.
When You Should Not Use “That’s”
There are situations where writing the full phrase is a better choice.
Formal Academic Writing
Instead of:
That’s important for students.
Consider:
That is important for students.
Legal Documents
Formal writing often avoids contractions.
Example:
Instead of:
That’s the agreement.
Use:
That is the agreement.
Research Papers
Academic style guides often recommend writing out contractions.
Example:
Instead of:
That’s supported by evidence.
Use:
That is supported by evidence.
Professional Reports
Many organizations prefer complete wording.
Example:
Instead of:
That’s the final recommendation.
Write:
That is the final recommendation.
Common Grammar Mistakes
Many writers confuse several grammar rules involving apostrophes.
Mistake 1
❌ Thats my phone.
✅ That’s my phone.
Mistake 2
❌ Thats impossible.
✅ That’s impossible.
Mistake 3
❌ Thats been finished already.
✅ That’s been finished already.
Mistake 4
❌ Thats exactly what happened.
✅ That’s exactly what happened.
Mistake 5
❌ Thats why I came here.
✅ That’s why I came here.
That’s vs Its vs It’s
Another common confusion involves its and it’s.
| Word | Meaning |
| That’s | That is / That has |
| It’s | It is / It has |
| Its | Possessive form of it |
Examples
Correct:
- That’s interesting.
- It’s raining.
- The dog wagged its tail.
Incorrect:
- Thats interesting.
- Its raining.
- The dog wagged it’s tail.
Learning these three forms together helps reduce punctuation mistakes.
Sentence Examples for Everyday Writing
School
- That’s my classroom.
- That’s today’s homework.
- That’s the correct solution.
- That’s an important lesson.
Workplace
- That’s our latest project.
- That’s the final report.
- That’s an excellent proposal.
- That’s the company’s policy.
Family
- That’s my brother.
- That’s our new house.
- That’s grandma’s recipe.
- That’s our family tradition.
Travel
- That’s the hotel we’re staying in.
- That’s the train station.
- That’s a beautiful beach.
- That’s the mountain we climbed.
Technology
- That’s the newest update.
- That’s the official website.
- That’s a useful feature.
- That’s an easy solution.
Social Media
- That’s hilarious.
- That’s trending today.
- That’s a great photo.
- That’s so creative.
Formal vs Informal Writing
Choosing between contractions and full forms depends on your audience.
| Informal | Formal |
| That’s great. | That is great. |
| That’s correct. | That is correct. |
| That’s the answer. | That is the answer. |
| That’s helpful. | That is helpful. |
Informal Writing
Use contractions in:
- Text messages
- Personal emails
- Blog posts
- Stories
- Conversations
- Social media
Formal Writing
Prefer full forms in:
- Research papers
- Business reports
- Academic essays
- Government documents
- Legal writing
- Professional publications
How to Remember the Difference Between “That’s” and “Thats”
One of the easiest ways to avoid this common grammar mistake is to use a simple proofreading trick. Whenever you write that’s, mentally replace it with that is or that has. If the sentence still makes sense, you’ve used the correct form.
For example:
- That’s my favorite movie.
- That is my favorite movie. ✅
Both sentences work, so that’s is correct.
Another example:
- That’s been an exciting year.
- That has been an exciting year. ✅
Again, the contraction is correct because it expands naturally.
Now look at an incorrect example:
- Thats my backpack.
Since thats cannot be expanded into that is or that has, it is simply a spelling error. The apostrophe is required every time.
Easy Memory Tips
- Remember that that’s always contains an apostrophe.
- Think of the apostrophe as replacing missing letters.
- If you can say that is or that has, write that’s.
- If there is no apostrophe, the word is incorrect.
- Proofread your writing before submitting assignments or publishing content.
Writing Tips for Students, Writers, and English Learners
Mastering contractions is a small step that makes a big difference in writing quality. Here are some practical tips to improve your grammar and communication.
1. Learn Common Contractions
Besides that’s, become familiar with other everyday contractions.
| Full Form | Contraction |
| I am | I’m |
| You are | You’re |
| We are | We’re |
| They are | They’re |
| He is | He’s |
| She is | She’s |
| It is | It’s |
| That is | That’s |
Understanding these patterns makes English easier to write and read.
2. Read Quality Writing
Books, newspapers, blogs, and magazines show contractions used naturally in context. Reading regularly helps you recognize correct grammar without memorizing every rule.
3. Practice Proofreading
Before sending an email or submitting homework, spend a few minutes checking:
- Missing apostrophes
- Spelling mistakes
- Grammar errors
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
A quick review often catches simple mistakes like writing thats instead of that’s.
4. Don’t Overuse Contractions
While contractions make writing sound conversational, too many can make formal writing seem less professional. In essays, reports, and research papers, consider writing the full forms instead.
5. Use Grammar Tools Wisely
Grammar checkers can identify missing apostrophes, but they are not perfect. Always review suggestions yourself to ensure they fit the meaning of your sentence.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these simple exercises.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form
- _____ my favorite restaurant.
- _____ been a wonderful experience.
- _____ exactly what I needed.
- _____ the best solution.
- _____ impossible to predict.
Answers
- That’s
- That’s
- That’s
- That’s
- That’s
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes
Rewrite these sentences correctly.
- Thats a beautiful sunset.
- Thats why everyone agreed.
- Thats been a busy week.
- Thats our classroom.
- Thats not fair.
Correct Answers
- That’s a beautiful sunset.
- That’s why everyone agreed.
- That’s been a busy week.
- That’s our classroom.
- That’s not fair.
Exercise 3: Expand the Contraction
Rewrite each sentence using the full form.
- That’s my teacher.
- That’s been exciting.
- That’s our new office.
- That’s the answer.
- That’s always surprised me.
Possible Answers
- That is my teacher.
- That has been exciting.
- That is our new office.
- That is the answer.
- That has always surprised me.
FAQs
1. Is “thats” ever correct?
No. Thats is not a correct English word. Whenever you mean that is or that has, you should write that’s with an apostrophe.
2. What does “that’s” stand for?
It can stand for either:
- That is
- That has
The intended meaning depends on the context of the sentence.
3. Can I use “that’s” in academic writing?
You can, but many schools, universities, and style guides prefer writing the full form (that is) in formal assignments, research papers, and professional documents.
4. Why do people forget the apostrophe?
Many typing mistakes happen because people write quickly or rely on autocorrect. Learning the contraction rule and proofreading your work helps prevent this common error.
5. How can I remember which form is correct?
Replace that’s with that is or that has. If the sentence still makes sense, you’ve used the correct form. If it doesn’t, revise the sentence.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick recap of the most important points.
| Rule | Correct Usage |
| That’s | Means that is or that has |
| Thats | Incorrect spelling |
| Apostrophe | Required in contractions |
| Formal writing | Prefer that is when appropriate |
| Informal writing | That’s is perfectly acceptable |
| Proofreading | Always check for missing apostrophes |
Conclusion
Although the difference between that’s and thats seems small, it has a significant impact on the accuracy and professionalism of your writing. The apostrophe in that’s isn’t optional—it signals that the word is a contraction for that is or that has. Leaving it out creates a spelling error that can distract readers and weaken your credibility.
Whether you’re a student writing essays, a professional composing emails, a content creator publishing articles, or an English learner building confidence, mastering this simple grammar rule is a worthwhile investment. By understanding when to use contractions, proofreading carefully, and practicing with real-life examples, you’ll develop stronger writing skills and communicate more clearly in every situation.
The next time you’re unsure, remember this simple test: replace that’s with that is or that has. If the sentence still works, you’ve made the right choice. With consistent practice, using the correct form will become second nature, helping you write polished, grammatically correct English with confidence.
