Thats or That’s: Which One Is Correct? The Complete Grammar Guide

When it comes to thats or that’s, many writers find themselves unsure about which form is correct. 🤔 Have you ever typed a sentence and paused for a moment, wondering whether to write “thats” or “that’s”? You are not alone. This is one of the most common grammar mistakes in English writing, especially in emails, social media posts, text messages, and even professional documents.

The confusion usually happens because many people type quickly and forget the apostrophe. Others simply assume that “thats” and “that’s” are interchangeable. However, only one of these forms is considered standard English.

Understanding the difference between thats or that’s is important because even a small punctuation mark can completely change how your writing is perceived. Proper grammar improves clarity, professionalism, and credibility. Whether you are a student, professional, content creator, or casual writer, mastering this rule will help you communicate more effectively.

In this comprehensive guide, you will learn the correct usage, grammar rules, common mistakes, practical examples, professional applications, and simple tricks to remember the difference forever. ✅

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Quick Answer: Thats or That’s

That’s is the correct form in standard English because it is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.”

Thats without an apostrophe is generally considered incorrect and is not recognized as a standard English word.

Example:

✅ That’s a beautiful sunset.

❌ Thats a beautiful sunset.

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Understanding the Basics: Thats or That’s

The confusion becomes simple once you understand the role of the apostrophe.

An apostrophe often shows that letters have been omitted from a contraction.

In that’s, the apostrophe replaces the missing letter i in that is or indicates that has.

Comparison Table

Form	Type	Meaning	Example	Correct/Incorrect
That’s	Contraction	That is / That has	That’s amazing.	✅ Correct
Thats	Non-standard form	No accepted meaning in standard English	Thats amazing.	❌ Incorrect

The apostrophe is what makes the word grammatically correct.

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Correct Meanings and Uses of That’s

That’s = That Is

The most common use of that’s is as a contraction for that is.

Examples

✅ That’s my favorite movie.

Expanded:

➡️ That is my favorite movie.

✅ That’s a great idea.

Expanded:

➡️ That is a great idea.

Sentence Breakdown

That’s my favorite movie.

• That’s = That is
• my favorite movie = description

Complete meaning:

That is my favorite movie.

Test Tip 💡

Replace that’s with that is.

If the sentence still makes sense, the usage is correct.

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That’s = That Has

Sometimes that’s means that has.

Examples

✅ That’s been a difficult year.

Expanded:

➡️ That has been a difficult year.

✅ That’s already happened.

Expanded:

➡️ That has already happened.

Sentence Breakdown

That’s been difficult.

• That’s = That has
• been difficult = completed state

Meaning:

That has been difficult.

Test Tip 💡

Replace that’s with that has.

If the sentence remains logical, the contraction is correct.

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Why “Thats” Is Incorrect

Unlike some English words that can appear with or without punctuation, thats is not accepted in standard grammar.

English grammar requires the apostrophe when forming the contraction that’s.

Incorrect Examples

❌ Thats my car.

❌ Thats what I meant.

❌ Thats been done already.

Correct Versions

✅ That’s my car.

✅ That’s what I meant.

✅ That’s been done already.

The apostrophe is not optional.

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Case Study Section

Workplace Email Example

Imagine Sarah is writing an email to a client.

Incorrect Email

Hello Mark,

Thats the report you requested.

Regards,

Sarah

Although the message is understandable, the missing apostrophe makes the writing appear less polished.

Correct Email

Hello Mark,

That’s the report you requested.

Regards,

Sarah

The corrected version looks more professional and grammatically accurate.

Lesson

Small punctuation mistakes can influence how readers perceive your professionalism.

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Grammar Rules Explanation

According to standard English grammar and major dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster, contractions require apostrophes to indicate omitted letters.

Examples include:

• Don’t = Do not
• Isn’t = Is not
• You’re = You are
• That’s = That is

The apostrophe serves as a grammatical marker.

Without it, the contraction becomes incorrect.

Rule Summary

That is → That’s

That has → That’s

Never write:

❌ Thats

Always write:

✅ That’s

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Common Mistakes

Many writers accidentally type thats instead of that’s.

Why Does This Mistake Happen?

Fast Typing ⌨️

People often skip apostrophes while typing quickly.

Autocorrect Issues 📱

Some devices fail to correct missing punctuation.

Lack of Grammar Knowledge 📚

Many writers do not realize that “that’s” is a contraction.

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Similar Grammar Confusions

Incorrect Form	Correct Form	Meaning
Its	It’s	It is
Your	You’re	You are
Cant	Can’t	Cannot
Wont	Won’t	Will not
Thats	That’s	That is / That has
Whos	Who’s	Who is

These mistakes usually involve missing apostrophes.

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Usage in Different Contexts

Everyday Conversation

In casual speech, people regularly use that’s.

Examples

✅ That’s funny.

✅ That’s wonderful.

✅ That’s exactly right.

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Professional Writing

Business communication requires proper grammar.

Examples

✅ That’s the proposal attached for review.

✅ That’s the final version of the document.

Proper punctuation demonstrates professionalism.

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Creative Writing

Authors frequently use contractions to create natural dialogue.

Example

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Emma said.

The contraction sounds conversational and realistic.

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Social Media and Texting

Many people accidentally write thats online.

Incorrect

❌ Thats awesome!

Correct

✅ That’s awesome!

Even in casual communication, correct punctuation improves readability.

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Why It Matters (Important)

The difference between thats or that’s may seem small, but it has a significant impact.

Clarity in Communication

Proper punctuation prevents confusion.

Readers immediately understand the intended meaning.

Professionalism

Correct grammar creates a positive impression.

Employers, clients, teachers, and colleagues often judge written communication quality.

Writing Accuracy

Accurate punctuation demonstrates attention to detail.

This is especially important in:

• Academic writing
• Business communication
• Content creation
• Journalism

Quote ✨

“Good grammar is the foundation of clear communication.”

Even a single apostrophe contributes to stronger writing.

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Special Exception

There are very few exceptions regarding that’s.

However, you may occasionally encounter “thats” in:

• Usernames
• Website URLs
• Brand names
• Social media handles

Examples

• thatscool123
• thatsmybrand.com

In these situations, the word is part of a name rather than a grammatical sentence.

For standard writing, always use:

✅ That’s

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Quick Recap Checklist

Use this simple checklist whenever you write.

Question	If Yes → Use
Can you replace it with “that is”?	That’s
Can you replace it with “that has”?	That’s
Are you writing standard English?	That’s
Are you tempted to omit the apostrophe?	Don’t—use That’s
Is it a contraction?	That’s

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Practice Examples

Example 1

Sentence:

___ a beautiful painting.

Answer:

✅ That’s a beautiful painting.

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Example 2

Sentence:

___ been completed already.

Answer:

✅ That’s been completed already.

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Example 3

Sentence:

___ exactly what I needed.

Answer:

✅ That’s exactly what I needed.

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FAQs About Thats or That’s

Is “thats” ever correct?

No. In standard English grammar, thats is incorrect. The correct form is that’s.

What does “that’s” mean?

That’s is a contraction of that is or that has.

Why does “that’s” need an apostrophe?

The apostrophe shows that letters have been omitted from the original phrase.

Can I use “that’s” in formal writing?

Yes. While formal writing often prefers full forms, that’s is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

How can I test whether “that’s” is correct?

Replace it with that is or that has.

If the sentence still makes sense, use that’s.

Is “that’s” the same as “its”?

No.

• That’s = That is / That has
• Its = Possessive form of it

Example

✅ That’s interesting.

✅ The dog wagged its tail.

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Conclusion

The debate over thats or that’s is actually very simple once you understand contractions. That’s is the correct form because it stands for that is or that has. The apostrophe is essential and should never be omitted in standard English writing.

Meanwhile, thats without an apostrophe is considered incorrect except in special cases such as usernames, brand names, or web addresses. Whether you are writing emails, essays, social media posts, or professional documents, using that’s correctly improves clarity, professionalism, and grammatical accuracy.

The next time you hesitate between thats or that’s, remember one easy rule: if you mean that is or that has, always use that’s. ✅

Master this small punctuation mark today, and your writing will instantly become stronger, clearer, and more polished.

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