If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to write that’s or thats, you’re not alone. This tiny punctuation question trips up native speakers, ESL learners, bloggers, and professionals every day. The good news? The answer is clear-cut, and once you understand the rule, you’ll never second-guess yourself again.
This guide covers everything you need to know the grammar rule, when and how to use that correctly, why that is almost always wrong, real-life examples across different writing contexts, and a few edge cases worth knowing about.
Quick Answer: That’s or Thats Which Is Correct?
“That’s” is correct. “Thats” (without an apostrophe) is not a standard English word.
“That’s” is a contraction, a shortened form of either “that is” or “that has.” The apostrophe replaces the missing letters (i from is, or ha from has). Without the apostrophe, the contraction breaks down grammatically and becomes a non-word.
The one-second test: Replace that’s with that is or that has in your sentence. If it still makes sense, you need the apostrophe. If neither fits, reconsider whether you need that’s at all.
What Is a Contraction? (And Why It Matters Here)
Before diving deeper, it helps to understand what contractions actually are in English grammar.
A contraction is formed by combining two words and replacing omitted letters with an apostrophe. The apostrophe is not decoration; it marks exactly where letters have been removed.
Some common examples:
| Full Form | Contraction | Letters Removed |
| it is / it has | it’s | i or ha |
| they are | they’re | a |
| do not | don’t | o |
| will not | won’t | ill no (irregular) |
| that is / that has | that’s | i or ha |
| who is / who has | who’s | i or ha |
| I am | I’m | a |
Notice the pattern: every contraction requires an apostrophe. English grammar does not allow contractions without this punctuation mark. This is exactly why thats without the apostrophe fails the grammar test. The letters are missing, but the signal (the apostrophe) that marks their absence is gone too.
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The Two Correct Uses of “That’s”
“That’s” can stand for two different word combinations. Knowing both helps you use the word more confidently and accurately.
1. That’s = That Is
This is by far the most common use. When you want to make a statement, point something out, or describe a situation, that’s replaces that is for a more natural, conversational flow.
Examples:
- That’s my car in the driveway. → That is my car in the driveway.
- That’s the best decision you’ve made all year. → That is the best decision you’ve made all year.
- That’s exactly what I was looking for. → That is exactly what I was looking for.
- That’s strange the door was locked a minute ago. → That is strange.
- That’s a brilliant idea. → That is a brilliant idea.
In each case, expanding the contraction confirms it works. If the expanded version sounds natural, the contraction is correct.
2. That’s = That Has
This usage is less common but equally correct. It appears most often with the present perfect tense, where has functions as an auxiliary (helping) verb.
Examples:
- That’s been my favorite restaurant for years. → That has been my favorite restaurant for years.
- That’s changed everything. → That has changed everything.
- That’s caused a lot of confusion. → That has caused a lot of confusion.
- That’s never happened before. → That has never happened before.
- That’s made a real difference. → That has made a real difference.
A useful clue: if that’s is followed by a past participle (been, changed, caused, happened, made), it likely stands for that has.
Why Do People Write “Thats” Without an Apostrophe?
Given how clear the rule is, why do so many people still write thats? There are a few very understandable reasons.
1. Typing speed and autocorrect failures In casual digital communication texts, social media, quick emails people type fast. The apostrophe requires an extra keystroke, and autocorrect doesn’t always catch the omission.
2. Confusion between contractions and possessives Some writers know that apostrophes can show possession (e.g., the dog’s bowl) and mistakenly assume they should avoid apostrophes with that to prevent confusion. In reality, that doesn’t have a possessive form that competes with its contraction. There’s no that’s vs. thats debate in the way there’s an it’s vs. its debate.
3. Unfamiliar with contraction rules, learners of English and even some native speakers simply haven’t internalized that the apostrophe is non-negotiable in contractions. They treat the two words as optional variants of the same thing.
4. Informal writing habits bleeding into formal contexts What starts as a texting habit can creep into emails, reports, and blog posts if writers aren’t careful about proofreading.
That’s vs. Thats: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
| Grammatically correct? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Contains apostrophe? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Standard English? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Used in formal writing? | ✅ With caution | ❌ Never |
| Used in informal writing? | ✅ Very common | ❌ Still incorrect |
| Meaning | “That is” or “That has” | None (non-word) |
| Acceptable in academic papers? | Only sparingly | Never |
Real-World Examples Across Different Writing Contexts
One of the best ways to solidify correct usage is to see that’s in context across the different styles of writing you actually encounter every day.
In Professional Emails
That’s a strong proposal I’ll bring to the team this Friday. I understand your concern; that’s something we can absolutely address. That’s the timeline we discussed in our last meeting.
In Academic or Formal Writing
In formal academic papers, it’s generally better to write out the full form rather than contract it. Instead of that’s, use that is or that has:
❌ The study found that’s consistent with previous research. ✅ The study found that this is consistent with previous research.
That said, in essays written for a general audience or in spoken presentations, that’s perfectly acceptable and keeps the tone accessible.
In Casual Conversation and Texting
That’s hilarious, I can’t believe you said that. That’s the third time he’s been late this week. That’s what I was trying to explain!
Here, that’s flows naturally. Writing thats in any of these contexts would simply be a grammatical error.
In Creative Writing and Dialogue
“That’s not how the story ends,” she said quietly. He stared at the map for a long moment. That’s the place, he thought. That’s where everything went wrong.
Contractions like that are essential in dialogue. They make characters sound human and natural. Dialogue written without contractions often feels stiff or unnatural.
In Blog Posts and Web Content
This guide itself uses that throughout and deliberately so. Blog writing is conversational by nature. Contractions improve readability, reduce formality, and help the reader feel like they’re getting advice from a person rather than reading a legal document.
The Possession Question: Does “That’s” Ever Show Ownership?
This is a common point of confusion. Let’s clear it up directly.
“That’s” is never possessive. Unlike nouns (e.g., the teacher’s desk), the word that does not use an apostrophe to show possession. In English, possessive pronoun words like its, yours, hers, theirs, and whose do not use apostrophes at all.
So when you write that’s, you are always forming a contraction. Full stop.
✅ That’s the book I mentioned. (= That is the book…) ❌ That’s cover is blue. (This is incorrect you’d simply say “Its cover is blue” or rewrite as “The cover of that book is blue.”)
If you find yourself reaching for that to show ownership, you’re likely using the wrong construction entirely.
When “Thats” Might Appear Without Being Wrong
There is exactly one legitimate context where Thats (without an apostrophe) can appear correctly: proper nouns and brand names.
Some brand names deliberately ignore standard grammar rules as a stylistic choice. One well-known example is Honda. That’s a compact car sold in Japan. In this case, Thats is a registered product name, not a grammatical word. Standard grammar rules do not apply to trademarked names.
Unless you’re writing about a specific brand that uses That’s as part of its official name, there is no situation in everyday writing where thats without an apostrophe is acceptable.
“That’s” in Formal vs. Informal Writing: A Practical Guide
Knowing that’s is grammatically correct doesn’t automatically mean you should use it everywhere. Context matters.
When to use “that’s” freely:
- Blog posts, articles, and web content
- Emails to colleagues and clients (unless highly formal)
- Social media captions and comments
- Creative writing, fiction, and dialogue
- Speeches and presentations aimed at a general audience
- Casual conversation and messaging
When to write out “that is” or “that has” instead:
- Academic essays and research papers
- Legal documents and contracts
- Official reports and government documents
- Highly formal business correspondence
- Scholarly publications
The underlying principle is simple: contractions signal a conversational tone. In formal writing, that tone can undermine your authority or fail to meet professional standards. When in doubt, expand it.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Here are the errors writers most commonly make with that’s, along with corrections:
Mistake 1: Missing the apostrophe entirely
❌ Thats a great point. ✅ That’s a great point.
Mistake 2: Misplacing the apostrophe
❌ Tha’t’s not what I said. ✅ That’s not what I said.
The apostrophe belongs between the t and s, replacing the i in is. It never goes elsewhere.
Mistake 3: Confusing that’s with that + possessive construction
❌ That’s color is wrong for the design. ✅ The color of that design is wrong. ✅ Its color is wrong for the design.
Mistake 4: Using that’s when neither “that is” nor “that has” fits
❌ I bought that’s shirt yesterday. (Makes no sense expanded) ✅ I bought that shirt yesterday.
Always expand to verify. If neither that is nor that has fits, don’t use that’s.
Quick-Reference Tests for Correct Usage
Use these three checks whenever you’re unsure:
- The expansion test: Replace that’s with that is or that has. If the sentence still makes sense, you’re using it correctly.
- The read-aloud test: Say the sentence out loud. If you naturally say “that is” or “that has,” you need the apostrophe.
- The formal writing test: If you’re writing an academic paper or formal document, consider replacing that’s with the full form (that is / that has) to maintain a professional tone.
LSI Keywords and Related Grammar Points
Understanding that’s better also means understanding the broader landscape of English contractions and apostrophe usage. Here are some closely related concepts:
- It’s vs. its It’s = it is / it has; its = possessive (no apostrophe)
- Who’s vs. whose Who’s = who is / who has; whose = possessive
- There’s vs. theirs There’s = there is / there has; theirs = possessive pronoun
- Apostrophe rules in English used for contractions and possession (but never for possessive pronouns)
- Contraction grammar the apostrophe always replaces missing letters
Notice a theme? The confusion between contractions and possessives is the most persistent source of apostrophe errors in English. With that’s, you don’t even have that complication; it’s always a contraction, never a possessive.
Summary: Everything You Need to Know
Let’s bring it all together.
- “That’s” is correct. It is a contraction meaning that is or that has.
- “Thats” is incorrect in all standard forms of English writing.
- The apostrophe is essential; it replaces missing letters and signals the contraction.
- Use that freely in casual, conversational, and informal writing.
- In formal academic or official writing, spell out that is or that has for a more authoritative tone.
- When in doubt, apply the expansion test: if that is or that fits naturally, write that’s.
- The only exception to thats without an apostrophe is proper nouns and brand names which are very rare cases.
One small apostrophe does a lot of work. It keeps your writing clear, grammatically sound, and professional. Now that you know the rule, there’s no reason to hesitate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is “thats” ever correct in English?
No, that without an apostrophe is not a standard English word. The only exception is in registered brand names, like Honda That’s.
What does “that’s” mean?
That’s is a contraction meaning either that is or that has, depending on the sentence context.
Can I use “that’s” in a formal essay?
It’s better to write out that is or that has in formal academic writing. In general-audience essays or blog posts, that’s perfectly acceptable.
How do I know if “that’s” means “that is” or “that has”?
Try substituting both. If that makes sense (usually followed by a past participle), use it. If that fits better, use that. Either way, that’s correct.
Is “that’s” possessive?
No. That is never possessive; it is always a contraction. Possessive pronouns like its, theirs, and whose don’t use apostrophes.
Why do people write “thats” without an apostrophe?
Usually it’s a typo caused by fast typing, or a misunderstanding of contraction rules. It’s also a common habit in casual texting that bleeds into other writing.
Can “that’s” start a sentence?
Yes. That’s a great idea and that’s what I was saying are both grammatically correct ways to open a sentence.
Is “that’s” British or American English?
Both. The rule is identical in British and American English: that with an apostrophe is always correct, and that without one is always incorrect.
Conclusion
The question of that or thats has one clear, definitive answer: always use the apostrophe. That’s is a proper contraction; that is a typo or grammatical oversight.
The simplest way to remember it? Every time letters go missing in a contraction, the apostrophe steps in to fill the gap. With that, the i from is (or ha from has) is gone and the apostrophe is there to show it.
Good writing is built on small details like this. Once you internalize the rule, it becomes second nature. You won’t pause over that or that again because you’ll know, without hesitation, exactly which one belongs on the page.
