When learning to write in English, knowing the difference between that’s and thats is essential for clear communication. That’s or Thats? The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need to Get It Right helps you understand why a small apostrophe can completely change the meaning of a sentence. From my experience with both learners and native speakers, even a tiny mistake in punctuation can lead to confusion or misreading. That’s is a contraction for “that is” or “that has,” and using it correctly demonstrates your attention, clarity, and knowledge of grammar, writing habits, and textual awareness. On the other hand, thats without an apostrophe often appears in casual typing, social media, or fast writing, but in formal text, it can compromise accuracy, fluency, and literacy.
Understanding these differences requires practice, careful observation, and cognition. Paying attention to context, semantic and syntactic structure, and sentence meaning strengthens your writing skill, comprehension, and overall communication. In my experience, learners who focus on textual detail, apostrophe placement, and mental processing notice immediate improvement in clarity, accuracy, and fluency. Using evaluation, judgement, and reasoning to double-check your writing helps prevent misunderstanding and ensures your expression, message, and writing habits remain professional and precise.
Even everyday examples can reinforce your learning. When reading or writing small words like that’s, notice how they fit into the sentence, context, and overall message. Following guidance, instruction, and consistent practice helps internalize these rules. Over time, attention to distinction, choice, precision, and interpretation makes the correct use of that’s versus thats second nature. Even a brief moment of hesitation, a quick check, or reflection strengthens your textual awareness, cognition, and writing skill, turning what once seemed tricky into a natural part of fluency, comprehension, and confident communication.
Quick Answer: Which Is Correct?
Simply put, “That’s” is always correct in standard English, while “Thats” is incorrect. The apostrophe in That’s serves as a contraction, either for That is or That has, depending on the context. Using Thats without the apostrophe removes clarity and violates grammar rules, which can affect both casual and formal communication.
The confusion often arises because people see informal text messages, social media posts, or auto-corrected words online. However, in professional writing, academic papers, emails, and creative writing, Thats is considered a glaring mistake. Knowing this simple rule instantly elevates the clarity and credibility of your writing.
Understanding “That’s”
That’s is a contraction with two main meanings:
- That’s = That is
This is the most common usage, expressing a state or condition. For example:- “That’s amazing!” (That is amazing)
- “That’s the book I was talking about.” (That is the book)
- That’s = That has
Less common but grammatically correct in perfect tense contexts. For example:- “That’s been my favorite show for years.” (That has been my favorite show)
- “That’s gone unnoticed until now.” (That has gone unnoticed)
Understanding the meaning behind the apostrophe helps learners distinguish correct usage from errors. The apostrophe indicates missing letters, making That’s concise and precise, while also reflecting natural spoken English.
Why “Thats” Is Incorrect
Thats without an apostrophe is never correct in standard English because:
- It removes the contraction, leaving the sentence incomplete or ambiguous.
- It breaks the grammar rule of contractions, which is essential for English clarity.
- It can make formal writing, professional emails, and academic work appear careless.
For instance, compare these examples:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
| Thats amazing! | That’s amazing! | Apostrophe denotes contraction (That is). |
| I think thats gone unnoticed. | I think that’s gone unnoticed. | Contraction shows (That has) in present perfect tense. |
Many people adopt Thats out of habit from texting or typing quickly. While it may appear harmless in informal chat, it’s unacceptable in standard writing.
Common Mistakes with “Thats”
Some frequent errors with Thats include:
- Text messages: “Thats cool” instead of That’s cool
- Emails: “Thats the report you wanted” instead of That’s the report you wanted
- Social media posts: Casual usage encourages skipping apostrophes
- Academic or professional writing: May lead to deductions in quality or marks
Tip: A quick trick to verify correctness is to expand That’s to That is or That has. If the sentence still makes sense, the apostrophe is necessary.
Examples of Correct “That’s” Usage
Casual conversation:
- “That’s really funny!”
- “That’s the place I was telling you about.”
Email writing:
- “That’s the document I promised to send.”
- “That’s been completed ahead of schedule.”
Business or professional use:
- “That’s the budget report for Q3.”
- “That’s already approved by the board.”
Social media posts:
- “That’s unbelievable! Can’t believe it happened.”
- “That’s trending right now on Twitter.”
Creative writing:
- “That’s when the adventure truly began.”
- “That’s been a lesson I’ll never forget.”
Memory Tricks to Remember “That’s”
Learning That’s is easier with practical memory hacks:
- Apostrophe = Missing letters
- Remember that That’s = That is or That has.
- Say it out loud
- Hearing the words can reinforce proper pronunciation and spelling.
- Quick rule of thumb
- Replace That’s with That is or That has. If the sentence still makes sense, the contraction is correct.
These simple methods help avoid accidental errors, especially in emails, professional reports, or social media posts.
When You Might See “Thats” Online (And Why You Shouldn’t Copy It)
Many internet users type Thats without realizing it’s grammatically wrong. Common reasons include:
- Typing speed or laziness
- Auto-correct errors
- Informal chat culture
- Mimicking casual writing
Despite its prevalence, copying this mistake can reduce credibility in:
- Work emails
- School or university assignments
- Blog posts or articles
Remember, using “That’s” correctly shows professionalism and respect for standard English.
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between that’s and thats is a small but powerful step toward better writing, clarity, and communication. Paying attention to apostrophe placement, context, and sentence structure ensures your message is accurate and professional. With consistent practice, guidance, and observation, using that’s versus thats becomes second nature, strengthening your fluency, literacy, and overall writing skill. Even quick checks, reflection, and careful evaluation prevent common mistakes, helping you write confidently in formal and casual contexts.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between that’s and thats?
That’s is a contraction for “that is” or “that has,” while thats without an apostrophe is incorrect in formal writing and often a typographical error.
Q2. When should I use that’s in a sentence?
Use that’s whenever you want to combine “that is” or “that has” in speech, writing, or textual communication to maintain proper grammar and clarity.
Q3. Can thats ever be correct?
In standard English, thats is usually incorrect. It may appear in fast typing or informal social media posts, but it should be avoided in professional writing.
Q4. How can I remember to use that’s correctly?
Pay attention to sentence meaning, practice writing habits, and check whether you are replacing “that is” or “that has.” Quick reflection and observation help internalize the rule.
Q5. Why is the apostrophe important in that’s?
The apostrophe signals a contraction. Omitting it can change the meaning, confuse readers, and affect your textual accuracy, fluency, and literacy.
