Have you ever typed “thats” and then paused — wondering if you forgot something? You’re not alone. This tiny apostrophe trips up native speakers, students, professionals, and even seasoned writers. Whether you’re drafting a work email, writing a college essay, or crafting a social media caption, getting this right matters more than most people realize. One small punctuation mark separates polished, credible writing from a careless typo.
This guide breaks down the that’s vs thats debate completely — covering grammar rules, real examples, common misconceptions, and a practical checklist you can use every single day.
Understanding the Basics: That’s vs Thats
Quick Comparison
| Form | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| That’s | ✅ Yes | That is / That has | “That’s a great idea.” |
| Thats | ❌ No | None (not a real word) | “Thats a great idea.” ← Wrong |
The verdict is clear: “that’s” is always correct; “thats” is not a word in standard English. There are no dictionaries — British, American, or otherwise — that list “thats” as a valid entry.
What That’s Really Means in Grammar
“That’s” is a contraction — a word formed by combining two words and replacing omitted letters with an apostrophe. According to standard grammar rules, the apostrophe in a contraction always stands in for missing letters, signaling to the reader that something has been shortened.
“That’s” can mean one of two things, depending on context:
- That is — used in present tense descriptions
- That has — used in present perfect tense constructions
Both are grammatically sound. Both require the apostrophe.
When That’s Means “That Is”
How It Works
When “that’s” replaces “that is,” it functions as a demonstrative pronoun paired with the linking verb to be. This is the most common usage you’ll encounter in everyday speech and writing.
Structure: That + is → That’s
Examples
- “That’s the book I was telling you about.” → That is the book I was telling you about.
- “That’s exactly what she meant.” → That is exactly what she meant.
- “That’s a perfectly valid point.” → That is a perfectly valid point.
- “I know that’s not what you expected.” → I know that is not what you expected.
Spoken vs Written English
In spoken English, contractions like “that’s” flow naturally and are almost universal. In written English, the same rule applies — the apostrophe is not optional. Even in informal texting or casual blog writing, dropping the apostrophe turns a contraction into an error.
When That’s Means “That Has”
Structure
This usage is slightly less obvious, but equally correct. Here, “that’s” acts as a subject followed by an auxiliary verb in the present perfect tense.
Structure: That + has → That’s
Examples
- “That’s been a long time coming.” → That has been a long time coming.
- “That’s caused a lot of confusion lately.” → That has caused a lot of confusion lately.
- “That’s changed my entire perspective.” → That has changed my entire perspective.
Quick test: If you can substitute “that has” and the sentence still makes sense, then “that’s” is being used correctly in the present perfect sense.
Why Thats Is Usually Wrong
In standard English, “thats” without an apostrophe has no grammatical function whatsoever. It isn’t a pronoun, a verb, a noun, or any other recognized part of speech. It simply doesn’t exist as a word.
Here’s why the error happens so often:
- Fast typing — fingers move quickly and the apostrophe key gets skipped
- Autocomplete failure — not all autocorrect systems catch missing apostrophes in contractions
- Habit from informal contexts — online chats and text messages sometimes normalize the omission
Why Autocorrect Doesn’t Always Fix It
Autocorrect is designed to flag misspelled words — but “thats” doesn’t trigger a red underline in many word processors because it technically contains real letters in a plausible sequence. The software doesn’t always recognize the missing punctuation, only the presence of recognizable letter strings. This means the responsibility for catching this error falls entirely on you, the writer.
The Only Real Case Where Thats Is Correct
There is one narrow exception to the rule: proper nouns and intentional brand names.
Some companies and creative projects deliberately use “Thats” as part of their branding — no apostrophe, by design. For example, a hypothetical publication called Thats Entertainment or a business trading under “Thats It” might drop the apostrophe intentionally as a stylistic trademark choice.
Rule of thumb: Unless you are referring to a specific brand name that spells itself without an apostrophe, “thats” is never correct in your own writing.
Common Misconceptions That Cause the Thats Mistake
Misconception One: Apostrophes Are Optional in Contractions
Some writers assume punctuation marks like apostrophes are stylistic — nice to have, but not essential. This is false. In English grammar, the apostrophe in a contraction is mandatory. It directly signals to the reader that letters have been removed and that the word is a shorthand form. Without it, the word isn’t a contraction at all; it’s simply a misspelling.
Misconception Two: Texting Rules Apply Everywhere
Casual digital communication has normalized shorthand. People drop apostrophes, skip capitalization, and abbreviate freely in text messages. The problem arises when those habits bleed into professional emails, academic papers, or published content. Texting conventions are not grammar rules — they’re informal shortcuts that don’t transfer to formal or semi-formal writing.
Misconception Three: Possession Confusion
Some writers confuse contractions with possessives. They may wonder: “Does ‘that’s’ show possession, like ‘John’s book’?” The answer is no. “That’s” is purely a contraction, not a possessive form. Unlike nouns (e.g., “the dog’s leash”), demonstrative pronouns like “that” do not take a possessive apostrophe in standard English. If you mean something belonging to that, you would restructure the sentence entirely.
That’s vs That Is vs That Has: How to Choose Correctly
The Replacement Test
The fastest way to choose correctly every time is the replacement test:
- Replace “that’s” with “that is” → Does the sentence still make sense? If yes, use “that’s.”
- Replace “that’s” with “that has” → Does the sentence still make sense? If yes, use “that’s.”
- Neither works? Then “that’s” doesn’t belong in the sentence at all.
Examples
| Original Sentence | Replacement | Correct? |
|---|---|---|
| “That’s my favorite film.” | “That is my favorite film.” | ✅ Use that’s |
| “That’s been raining all day.” | “That has been raining all day.” | ✅ Use that’s |
| “Thats a good point.” | “That is a good point.” | ❌ Missing apostrophe — should be that’s |
Real-World Examples of That’s in Everyday Writing
Casual Conversation
- “That’s hilarious — I can’t believe he said that.”
- “Oh wow, that’s the one I’ve been looking for.”
- “That’s not how I remember it at all.”
Emails and Professional Writing
- “After reviewing your proposal, I believe that’s the most cost-effective approach.”
- “Please note that’s already been addressed in the previous memo.”
- “We’re confident that’s a direction the team can support.”
Academic and Formal Contexts
In academic writing, it is generally preferred to write out contractions in full (“that is” rather than “that’s”), especially in research papers and formal essays. Style guides such as APA and MLA typically advise avoiding contractions in scholarly work. That said, if contractions do appear in academic writing, they must be punctuated correctly — “that’s,” never “thats.”
Why Using That’s Correctly Matters
Getting this right isn’t pedantic — it’s practical. Here’s why correct usage matters across different contexts:
- Professional credibility: A single apostrophe error in a client-facing document can quietly signal carelessness, even when the content is strong.
- Academic integrity: Professors and editors notice punctuation errors; they affect how your argument is received.
- Digital writing and SEO: Well-edited, grammatically accurate content ranks better and earns more reader trust.
- Clarity: Correct punctuation removes ambiguity and helps readers process your meaning instantly.
The difference between “that’s” and “thats” is a single character — but that single character signals whether you know the rules of English or not.
Quick Checklist to Avoid the Thats Error
Use this checklist whenever you proofread:
- [ ] Can “that’s” be expanded to “that is”? → If yes, it needs an apostrophe.
- [ ] Can “that’s” be expanded to “that has”? → If yes, it needs an apostrophe.
- [ ] Is this a brand name intentionally spelled without an apostrophe? → If no, add the apostrophe.
- [ ] Did autocorrect flag it? → Remember, autocorrect may miss this specific error.
- [ ] Does the finished sentence read clearly and professionally? → Read it aloud if unsure.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between that’s and thats?
“That’s” is a grammatically correct contraction of “that is” or “that has,” while “thats” is simply a misspelling — it carries no meaning and does not exist as a real English word.
Is thats ever correct in English?
Rarely, and only as an intentional brand name or trademark that deliberately omits the apostrophe. In standard everyday writing, “thats” is always incorrect.
How do I know if that’s means “that is” or “that has”?
Use the replacement test: swap “that’s” with “that is” — if the sentence makes sense, it means “that is.” Swap it with “that has” — if that fits, it means “that has.” Usually, context and the verb tense of the sentence will make the correct interpretation obvious.
Why do people confuse that’s with thats?
The most common causes are fast typing without proofreading, over-reliance on autocorrect, habits carried over from informal texting, and a general lack of awareness that apostrophes in contractions are mandatory, not stylistic.
How can I permanently stop writing “thats”?
Train yourself to do the replacement test every time. Additionally, enable grammar-checking tools in your word processor, read your writing aloud before sending or publishing, and practice expanding contractions when you review your work. Repetition builds the correct habit quickly.
Conclusion
The rule here is refreshingly simple once you internalize it:
“That’s” = that is / that has. Always use the apostrophe. “Thats” is not a word.
Every time you write “that’s,” you’re using a contraction — and contractions require apostrophes. There are no shortcuts, no regional variations, and no informal exceptions that justify dropping it (outside of deliberate brand naming). Whether you’re writing a quick message to a friend, a detailed project report, or a university dissertation, the apostrophe in “that’s” is non-negotiable.
