In English, many writers get confused with That’s or Thats? because both look similar but have very different rules and meanings. That’s is the correct form, a contraction of that is or that has, and it ensures clarity, accuracy, and proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in everyday and professional writing. On the other hand, Thats is incorrect in standard English and often appears due to fast typing, autocorrect errors, or misunderstanding how contractions work. Using That’s correctly in emails, social media posts, or creative writing helps maintain reader comprehension, clarity, and overall language mastery.
Pay attention to context, usage rules, and semantic precision when writing. That’s works seamlessly in both formal writing and casual communication, while Thats should be avoided entirely. Think of That’s as a tool for improving writing skills, text comprehension, and practical application of English rules. Using instructional examples, pattern recognition, and cognitive processing strategies helps learners remember why That’s is correct and how it fits in different sentences.
Practical use and real-life examples make mastering That’s or Thats? easier. Observe That’s in text, emails, social media posts, or academic papers to see how it improves writing confidence, awareness, and applied knowledge. By focusing on instructional guidance, contextual cues, and semantic understanding, you can consistently use That’s correctly, avoid confusion with Thats, and strengthen your overall language skill and writing comprehension.
Quick Answer: “That’s” vs “Thats”
The simplest way to clear up confusion is this: “That’s” is correct, “Thats” is not.
Why it matters: In English, the placement of an apostrophe changes meaning. “That’s” is a contraction, combining words like “that is” or “that has”, while “Thats” without an apostrophe is grammatically incorrect. Even though it appears often in informal texting, using it in professional, academic, or formal writing can reflect poorly on your communication skills.
Example table of quick comparison:
| Word | Correct Usage | Meaning |
| That’s | That’s amazing! | That is amazing |
| That’s | That’s been done | That has been done |
| Thats | I saw thats online | ❌ Incorrect, not standard |
Knowing this distinction instantly improves clarity and shows attention to detail in writing.
Understanding “That’s”
Meaning and Usage
That’s has two main uses:
- That’s = That is
This is the most common use. You use it when describing a fact, opinion, or observation.
Examples:- That’s a beautiful painting.
- That’s not what I expected.
- That’s = That has
This form appears in perfect tense constructions, often followed by a past participle.
Examples:- That’s been fixed.
- That’s already happened.
Both forms are widely used in spoken and written English. Recognizing which one fits your sentence helps maintain grammatical accuracy.
Common Contexts for “That’s”
That’s appears naturally across many situations:
- Everyday conversation: Casual statements and expressions
- That’s funny!
- That’s cool.
- Emails and professional correspondence: Polite, clear phrasing
- That’s the document you requested.
- That’s been updated per your instructions.
- Social media posts: Quick, concise expressions
- That’s trending today.
- That’s hilarious!
- Creative writing: Storytelling or descriptive writing
- That’s when the adventure began.
- That’s the moment she realized the truth.
Understanding these contexts ensures that you always use That’s naturally, making your writing sound fluent and polished.
Why “Thats” Is Always Incorrect
Thats without an apostrophe is considered a typo in standard English. While it may appear in text messages, informal chats, or casual online posts, it is never acceptable in professional, academic, or published writing.
Key reasons “Thats” is wrong:
- Missing apostrophe changes meaning.
- Confuses readers about whether you mean “that is” or “that has.”
- Appears careless, reducing credibility in formal writing.
Even top-tier publications avoid this mistake. Using “That’s” consistently helps maintain accuracy, readability, and professionalism.
Common Mistakes with “That’s” and “Thats”
Many writers misuse That’s or accidentally type Thats due to speed or autocorrect errors. Common mistakes include:
- Confusing contractions and possessives:
Example: “Thats book is mine” ❌ vs “That’s book is mine” ✅ (still incorrect, should be “That book is mine”) - Using “Thats” in formal writing: Often seen in emails, essays, or reports
- Overusing “That’s” without considering tense or meaning: Leads to repetitive or awkward sentences
Tip: Always read your sentence out loud. If it sounds like “that is” or “that has”, the correct form is That’s.
Practical Examples of “That’s” in Real Sentences
Casual Conversation
- That’s amazing!
- That’s exactly what I thought.
Email Writing
- That’s been completed as requested.
- That’s the latest report for your review.
Business or Professional Use
- That’s the project update you needed.
- That’s a significant improvement.
Social Media
- That’s hilarious! 😂
- That’s trending right now.
Creative Writing
- That’s when everything changed.
- That’s the secret she had kept hidden.
Using real examples in multiple contexts reinforces correct usage and helps readers internalize the rules.
Easy Memory Tricks to Remember “That’s”
Here are some practical techniques for never forgetting the apostrophe:
- Apostrophe = Missing Letters
- That’s = That is or That has
- Think: apostrophe fills the gap where letters are missing
- Say It Out Loud
- Pronounce “That’s” fully: “That is” or “That has”
- If it doesn’t sound right aloud, check your writing
- Quick Rule of Thumb
- If a verb follows, use That’s
- If not, you might need “That” alone
These tricks work for students, professionals, and casual writers alike.
Why You Might See “Thats” Online (And Why You Shouldn’t Imitate It)
Thats appears in texts, social media, and quick chats for speed or convenience. Autocorrect may sometimes allow it, but you should not imitate it in proper writing.
Examples of misuse:
- “I think thats great” ❌
- “Check out thats new feature” ❌
Why avoid it:
- Reduces clarity
- Appears unprofessional
- May confuse ESL learners
Better alternative: Always use That’s even in informal posts for accuracy.
Final Tips for Correct Usage
- Proofread carefully: Look for missing apostrophes
- Understand contractions: “That’s” = “That is” / “That has”
- Practice regularly: Write sentences using both forms
- Use memory tricks: Apostrophe placement, read aloud, quick rule of thumb
- Check tone: Adjust That’s usage based on casual or professional context
By consistently applying these rules, you’ll master That’s vs Thats, improve clarity in writing, and gain confidence in both professional and creative communication.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between That’s and Thats?
That’s is a contraction of that is or that has and is correct in standard English. Thats is incorrect and should not be used in formal or casual writing.
Q2. When should I use That’s?
Use That’s whenever you want to combine that is or that has into one concise form in emails, texts, social media posts, or professional writing.
Q3. Why is Thats considered wrong?
Thats omits the apostrophe, which changes the meaning and breaks the rules of grammar and standard English usage. It often appears due to fast typing, autocorrect, or misunderstanding of contractions.
Q4. Can That’s be used in casual conversation?
Yes, That’s is appropriate in casual speech and writing because it maintains clarity and correct usage while sounding natural.
Q5. How can I remember the correct usage?
Remember: the apostrophe in That’s represents missing letters (that is or that has). Saying it out loud or practicing with examples helps reinforce correct usage.
Q6. Is it ever acceptable to write Thats online?
While you may see Thats in informal online chats, it is not correct in any standard English context and should be avoided in writing, academic work, or professional communication.
Conclusion
Mastering That’s or Thats? is a small but crucial step toward clear and accurate English writing. Using That’s correctly improves grammar, clarity, and comprehension, while avoiding Thats prevents common mistakes and confusion. By focusing on context, sentence structure, and semantic understanding, you can write confidently in emails, social media, creative projects, and professional documents. Practicing with examples, textual cues, and instructional guidance ensures you internalize the rules, making your English communication precise, polished, and effective.
