Many English learners and even native speakers get confused between That’s and Thats. At first glance, they look almost identical. The only difference is a tiny apostrophe, yet that small punctuation mark completely changes whether the word is correct.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you should write That’s or Thats, you’re not alone. This mistake appears in emails, blog posts, school assignments, social media posts, and even professional documents.
In this guide, you’ll learn the exact difference between That’s vs Thats, when to use each one, common mistakes to avoid, memory tricks, and plenty of real-world examples so you’ll never confuse them again.
What Is the Difference Between That’s and Thats?
Quick Answer (Featured Snippet)
That’s is the correct spelling because it’s a contraction of that is or that has.
Thats (without an apostrophe) is not a correct English word in standard grammar.
| Word | Correct? | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| That’s | ✅ Yes | Short form of “that is” or “that has” |
| Thats | ❌ No | Incorrect spelling |
The apostrophe replaces missing letters.
For example:
- That’s my backpack.
- That’s exactly what I wanted.
- That’s been happening for years.
All three examples are grammatically correct.
See Also: To Many vs Too Many: Difference And Which Is Correct?
What Does “That’s” Mean?
The word That’s is a contraction.
It can stand for two different phrases.
That’s = That Is
Examples:
- That’s a beautiful painting.
- That’s the answer.
- That’s where I live.
Expanded versions:
- That is a beautiful painting.
- That is the answer.
- That is where I live.
That’s = That Has
Examples:
- That’s been difficult.
- That’s happened before.
- That’s already finished.
Expanded versions:
- That has been difficult.
- That has happened before.
- That has already finished.
The meaning depends on the sentence.
Why Is “Thats” Incorrect?
One of the biggest grammar mistakes people make online is forgetting the apostrophe.
English contractions always require an apostrophe.
Examples include:
- Don’t
- Can’t
- It’s
- That’s
- What’s
- There’s
Without the apostrophe, the contraction becomes incorrect.
Incorrect:
❌ Thats my phone.
Correct:
✅ That’s my phone.
The apostrophe shows that letters have been omitted.
Why Do People Write “Thats”?
Several reasons explain this common mistake.
Fast Typing
People often skip punctuation while texting.
Example:
Thats awesome!
Although common in casual texting, it’s still incorrect in formal writing.
Autocorrect Issues
Sometimes keyboards fail to insert apostrophes automatically.
See Also: Unselect vs Deselect: Which Term Is Correct?
Confusion About Apostrophes
Many learners know apostrophes show possession.
For example:
- Sarah’s book
- John’s car
However, apostrophes also create contractions.
That’s belongs to this second category.
That’s vs Thats: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
|---|---|---|
| Correct English | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Contraction | Yes | No |
| Means “That is” | Yes | No |
| Means “That has” | Yes | No |
| Accepted in academic writing | Yes | No |
| Accepted in professional emails | Yes | No |
| Dictionary word | Yes | No |
Whenever you’re writing standard English, always choose That’s.
When Should You Use “That’s”?
Use That’s whenever you mean that is or that has.
Everyday Conversation
- That’s funny.
- That’s amazing.
- That’s enough.
School Writing
- That’s an important historical event.
- That’s the main argument.
Business Writing
- That’s the correct document.
- That’s attached below.
- That’s our final proposal.
Social Media
- That’s incredible!
- That’s exactly how I feel.
Even in informal writing, the apostrophe should remain.
Common Mistakes People Make
Here are mistakes you should avoid.
Incorrect
❌ Thats my favorite movie.
✅ That’s my favorite movie.
Incorrect
❌ Thats why I called you.
✅ That’s why I called you.
See Also: Tieing vs Tying: Which Spelling Is Correct In English?
Incorrect
❌ Thats been difficult lately.
✅ That’s been difficult lately.
Incorrect
❌ Thats okay.
✅ That’s okay.
Real-Life Case Study: One Missing Apostrophe Changed the Tone of a Business Email
Emma worked as a customer support representative for a growing software company. Every day, she responded to dozens of customer emails, so speed became more important than proofreading.
One afternoon, she sent an important message to a client that read:
Thats the updated contract you requested.
Within minutes, the client politely replied:
Thanks! By the way, I think you missed an apostrophe.
Although the client wasn’t upset, Emma realized that such a small mistake could make professional communication appear careless. Her manager later explained that clients often judge attention to detail based on writing quality, especially in emails, contracts, and proposals.
After that experience, Emma began proofreading every outgoing message before sending it. She also enabled grammar-checking software to catch missing apostrophes automatically.
A few weeks later, she noticed far fewer corrections and felt more confident in her communication. This simple habit improved both her writing and her professional image.
The lesson is straightforward: even a tiny punctuation mark like the apostrophe in That’s can influence how polished and credible your writing appears.
Grammar Tip: Remember the Difference Forever
The Expansion Test
Whenever you’re unsure, replace That’s with That is.
Example:
That’s my jacket.
↓
That is my jacket.
It still makes sense.
Therefore:
✅ That’s
Another example:
That’s been difficult.
↓
That has been difficult.
Again, it works.
If “That is” or “That has” doesn’t fit, rethink your sentence rather than removing the apostrophe.
Common Contractions Similar to “That’s”
Learning related contractions makes English writing easier.
| Contraction | Full Form |
|---|---|
| It’s | It is / It has |
| What’s | What is / What has |
| There’s | There is / There has |
| Here’s | Here is |
| Who’s | Who is / Who has |
| That’s | That is / That has |
Notice that each contraction includes an apostrophe.
Data & Statistics: Why Apostrophe Errors Matter (2025–2026)
Grammar and punctuation mistakes remain among the most common writing errors identified by digital writing tools and educators. Recent usage trends from 2025–2026 continue to show that missing apostrophes rank high in everyday English writing, especially in emails, social media posts, and student assignments.
Key findings include:
- Grammar-checking platforms process billions of words every week, with punctuation errors consistently among the most frequent corrections.
- Workplace communication surveys continue to report that clear, error-free writing improves professionalism and reader trust.
- Teachers and editors identify missing apostrophes in contractions such as That’s as one of the easiest mistakes to prevent through careful proofreading.
The takeaway is simple: a single apostrophe may seem minor, but using it correctly helps your writing appear more accurate, polished, and credible.
Tips to Never Confuse That’s and Thats Again
Remember these simple rules:
- Always write That’s, never Thats.
- Expand it to That is or That has.
- If the sentence still works, your choice is correct.
- Proofread emails before sending.
- Enable grammar-checking tools.
- Slow down when typing on mobile devices.
FAQs
Q. Is “Thats” ever correct?
A: No. Standard English grammar does not recognize Thats as a correct word.
Q. Why does “That’s” have an apostrophe?
A: The apostrophe replaces missing letters in that is or that has.
Q. Can “That’s” mean “That has”?
A: Yes.
Example:
That’s been a wonderful experience.
It means:
That has been a wonderful experience.
Q. Is “That’s” formal?
A: Yes. It’s widely accepted in everyday, academic, and business writing. In very formal legal or academic documents, some writers may choose the full forms (“that is” or “that has”), but That’s is still grammatically correct.
Q. Why do people forget the apostrophe?
A: Most mistakes happen because of fast typing, texting habits, or simple oversight not because the grammar rule is difficult.
Q. Is “That’s” the same as “Its”?
A: No. That’s is a contraction, while its is a possessive pronoun. They serve different grammatical purposes.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between That’s vs Thats is easier than it seems. That’s is the only correct spelling because it is a contraction of that is or that has, while Thats is simply a spelling mistake.
Whenever you’re uncertain, use the expansion test. If you can replace the word with that is or that has, then That’s is the right choice. Paying attention to this small apostrophe will make your emails, essays, blog posts, and professional writing look more polished and trustworthy.
The next time you pause before typing That’s vs Thats, you’ll know exactly which one belongs in your sentence.
👉Keep learning with more easy grammar lessons on GrammerUpdate.com
Noor Fatima is a professional blogger specializing in spelling correction and grammar guidance. She creates clear, practical content to help readers avoid common mistakes, strengthen writing skills, and communicate with confidence in everyday and professional settings.
