That’s or thats is a common confusion for English learners because the two forms look almost identical and are usually pronounced the same way. However, there is an important difference: “that’s” is the standard and correct form in English, while “thats” is generally incorrect when used as a contraction. The apostrophe is not simply a decorative mark. It shows that letters have been omitted from a longer expression. Understanding when and why to use that’s can help you write clearer emails, messages, essays, and everyday English. In this guide, you will learn the meaning, grammar, history, examples, common mistakes, and an easy way to remember the difference.
Why “That’s” and “Thats” Are Confusing
English learners often confuse that’s and thats because they contain exactly the same letters except for the apostrophe. In normal speech, they are also pronounced the same way.
Several factors make this confusion especially common.
Similar Pronunciation
That’s and thats, when the latter appears as a spelling error, sound the same. When we speak, we cannot hear the apostrophe.
For example:
That’s my book.
The word that’s is pronounced naturally as one short word. Because speech does not show punctuation, learners may write thats instead.
Similar Spelling
The difference is only one apostrophe:
- That’s ✔
- Thats ✘
This small visual difference can easily be missed, especially when typing quickly.
Context Confusion
The word that’s can represent two different contractions:
- that is
- that has
For example:
That’s a beautiful painting.
= That is a beautiful painting.
That’s been a difficult week.
= That has been a difficult week.
Because that’s has more than one grammatical meaning, learners may be unsure when to use it.
Common Learner Mistakes
A frequent mistake is leaving out the apostrophe:
Thats a good idea. ✘
The correct sentence is:
That’s a good idea. ✔
Another mistake is assuming that thats is an alternative spelling. In standard English, it is not.
That’s vs Thats Explained Simply
The difference between that’s and thats is simple once you understand the apostrophe.
Simple Explanation
That’s is a contraction of that is or that has. The apostrophe shows that letters have been removed.
Thats without an apostrophe is generally not the standard spelling of this word.
One-Line Distinction
That’s is the correct contraction of that is or that has, while thats is normally an incorrect spelling.
Two Example Sentences
That’s the restaurant I told you about.
Here, that’s means that is.
That’s already happened before.
Here, that’s means that has.
So, whenever you mean that is or that has, the standard written form is that’s.
Understanding Homophones in English
What Are Homophones?
Homophones are words or word forms that have the same pronunciation but different meanings, spellings, or grammatical functions.
For example:
- to — used for direction or an infinitive
- too — meaning also or excessively
- two — the number 2
All three are pronounced alike in standard English, but their spellings and meanings are different.
Why Homophones Cause Confusion
Homophones can be difficult because listening alone does not always tell you which spelling to use.
For example, if someone says:
“I want two books.”
You hear the sound two, but you need the context to know that the speaker means the number 2 rather than to or too.
That’s and thats are slightly different from a traditional homophone pair. Thats is generally not a standard alternative word; it is usually a missing-apostrophe spelling of that’s. They may sound identical, but the main issue is punctuation and contraction rather than two standard words with different meanings.
What Does “That’s” Mean?
Definition and Core Meaning
That’s is a contraction that can mean either “that is” or “that has.”
The apostrophe replaces letters that have been omitted.
That’s = That is
That’s my new phone.
This means:
That is my new phone.
Another example:
That’s exactly what I needed.
This means:
That is exactly what I needed.
That’s = That has
That’s can also mean that has, especially when followed by a past participle.
That’s been a difficult journey.
This means:
That has been a difficult journey.
Another example:
That’s happened to me before.
This means:
That has happened to me before.
Origin and Historical Use
The word that is an old English demonstrative and relative word. Its history goes back to Old English forms such as þæt, which were used to point to something or introduce clauses.
Over time, English developed many contractions to make speech and writing more natural and concise. That’s became an established contraction of that is and later also that has.
Apostrophes in contractions generally indicate missing letters. For example:
- it is → it’s
- do not → don’t
- I am → I’m
- that is → that’s
Therefore, the apostrophe in that’s has a grammatical purpose.
Modern Usage and Synonyms
That’s is extremely common in modern English. It appears in conversations, text messages, informal writing, articles, stories, and many other forms of communication.
Depending on the context, related full forms include:
- that is
- that has
Examples include:
- That’s true.
- That’s interesting.
- That’s the problem.
- That’s what I meant.
- That’s been difficult.
- That’s happened before.
Example Sentences
- That’s a great idea.
- That’s my favorite book.
- That’s exactly what I wanted.
- That’s been a useful lesson.
- That’s what makes this example interesting.
- I think that’s the right answer.
What Does “Thats” Mean?
Definition and Core Meaning
Thats, without an apostrophe, is generally not the standard form when you mean that is or that has.
In standard English writing, the correct contraction is:
that’s
not:
thats
Therefore, thats usually represents a spelling or punctuation mistake.
Origin and Historical Context
The form thats does not serve as the standard modern contraction of that is or that has. The apostrophe in that’s developed as part of the conventional punctuation used for contractions.
When letters are omitted from a word or phrase, an apostrophe often marks the omission.
For example:
- that is → that’s
- that has → that’s
Removing the apostrophe changes the standard written form.
Modern Usage and Synonyms
In standard edited English, avoid using thats when you mean that’s.
You may occasionally see thats online because people leave out punctuation while texting or typing quickly. However, frequent informal use does not make it the standard spelling.
Use:
- that’s in formal writing
- that’s in schoolwork
- that’s in professional writing
- that’s in standard online writing
Example Sentences
Incorrect:
Thats a beautiful house. ✘
Correct:
That’s a beautiful house. ✔
Incorrect:
I think thats the answer. ✘
Correct:
I think that’s the answer. ✔
Incorrect:
Thats been a problem for years. ✘
Correct:
That’s been a problem for years. ✔
That’s vs Thats: Key Differences at a Glance
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| That’s | Contraction | That is / That has | “That’s my brother.” |
| Thats | Nonstandard spelling | Usually intended to mean “that is” or “that has” | “Thats my brother.” ✘ |
The most important point is that that’s is the standard form. Thats should normally be corrected by adding the apostrophe.
A Quick Grammar Test
If you can replace that’s with that is, the apostrophe is correct.
That’s my bag.
→ That is my bag.
If you can replace it with that has, the apostrophe is also correct.
That’s happened before.
→ That has happened before.
This simple test works in many situations.
How to Remember the Difference Between That’s and Thats
Easy Memory Tricks
The easiest memory trick is:
That’s = That is / That has
The apostrophe tells you that something has been shortened.
Think of the apostrophe as a missing-letter sign.
that is → that’s
The letters i and part of the original phrase disappear, and the apostrophe marks the contraction.
Association Techniques
You can associate that’s with other familiar contractions:
- it is → it’s
- he is → he’s
- she is → she’s
- what is → what’s
- that is → that’s
Notice the pattern: contractions often use an apostrophe.
If you remember it’s, you can use the same idea with that’s.
One Memorable Example
Remember this sentence:
That’s exactly what I mean.
Expand it:
That is exactly what I mean.
Because that’s can be expanded to that is, the apostrophe belongs there.
Common Mistakes and Confusions
Mistake 1: Leaving Out the Apostrophe
Wrong:
Thats a good question.
Correct:
That’s a good question.
Explanation:
The word is a contraction of that is, so the apostrophe is required in standard writing.
Mistake 2: Treating “Thats” as an Alternative Spelling
Wrong idea:
“That’s” and “thats” are two different spellings.
Correct idea:
“That’s” is the standard contraction, while “thats” is generally a nonstandard spelling.
Mistake 3: Confusing “That’s” With “That’s”
Sometimes learners notice that an apostrophe can look slightly different in different fonts:
- that’s — straight apostrophe
- that’s — curly apostrophe
Both represent the same contraction. The second is commonly produced by word processors and typography systems.
Mistake 4: Confusing “That’s” and “That’s” With “Thats”
The important distinction is not whether the apostrophe is straight or curly. The important distinction is whether the apostrophe is present.
- That’s ✔
- That’s ✔
- Thats ✘ in standard usage
Mistake 5: Using “That’s” When “That” Is Needed
Not every sentence containing that should use that’s.
For example:
I know that you are busy. ✔
You cannot replace that with that’s here:
I know that’s you are busy. ✘
Why? Because that is functioning as a conjunction in the original sentence, not as a contraction of that is or that has.
Examples Section: Correct and Incorrect Usage
Example 1
✔ Correct: That’s my new teacher.
✘ Incorrect: Thats my new teacher.
Explanation: “That’s” means “That is.”
Example 2
✔ Correct: I think that’s the best choice.
✘ Incorrect: I think thats the best choice.
Explanation: The contraction that’s means “that is.”
Example 3
✔ Correct: That’s been an interesting experience.
✘ Incorrect: Thats been an interesting experience.
Explanation: Here, that’s means “that has.”
Example 4
✔ Correct: That’s exactly what I wanted.
✘ Incorrect: Thats exactly what I wanted.
Explanation: The correct contraction requires an apostrophe.
Example 5
✔ Correct: That is the book I mentioned.
✘ Incorrect: That’s is the book I mentioned.
Explanation: Do not use the contraction that’s together with the full word is. Choose one form:
That’s the book I mentioned. ✔
or
That is the book I mentioned. ✔
Example 6
✔ Correct: I know that you are tired.
✘ Incorrect: I know that’s you are tired.
Explanation: Here, that introduces a clause. It does not mean that is or that has.
Self Assessment: Test Your Knowledge
Fill in each blank with that’s or thats.
1.
_____ a very interesting story.
2.
I think _____ the correct answer.
3.
_____ been a difficult day.
4.
She said _____ exactly what she needed.
Take a moment to answer before checking the solutions below.
Self Assessment Answers
1. That’s
That’s a very interesting story.
Here, that’s means that is.
2. That’s
I think that’s the correct answer.
Again, that’s means that is.
3. That’s
That’s been a difficult day.
Here, that’s means that has.
4. That’s
She said that’s exactly what she needed.
Here, that’s means that is.
Remember: In all four questions, thats without an apostrophe is not the standard spelling.
FAQs About “That’s and Thats”
1. Is “that’s” correct English?
Yes. That’s is correct standard English. It is a contraction of that is or that has.
2. Is “thats” a word?
Thats without an apostrophe is generally not the standard English form when you mean that is or that has. It is usually a punctuation or spelling error.
3. Is “that’s” short for “that is”?
Yes. For example:
That’s my car.
means:
That is my car.
4. Can “that’s” mean “that has”?
Yes. For example:
That’s happened before.
means:
That has happened before.
5. Why does “that’s” need an apostrophe?
The apostrophe indicates that letters have been omitted from the original expression. It helps show that that’s is a contraction of that is or that has.
6. Can I use “thats” in texting?
You may see people omit apostrophes in informal texting, but that’s remains the standard spelling. For school, professional, academic, and polished writing, always use the apostrophe.
7. What’s the easiest way to remember “that’s” vs “thats”?
Remember:
That’s = That is / That has
If you can expand that’s into that is or that has, keep the apostrophe.
Final Conclusion: Using “That’s” and “Thats” Correctly
The difference between that’s and thats is small in appearance but important in standard English writing. That’s is the correct form when it means that is or that has. The apostrophe shows that the expression has been shortened. For example, “That’s my book” means “That is my book,” while “That’s happened before” means “That has happened before.” On the other hand, thats without an apostrophe is generally considered a spelling or punctuation mistake when used in these situations.
A useful way to remember the rule is to think of the apostrophe as a sign of missing letters. Whenever you can expand that’s to that is or that has, you know that the apostrophe belongs there. Also remember that that and that’s are not interchangeable in every sentence. If that is introducing another clause, such as in “I know that you are busy,” do not turn it into that’s.
With a little practice, this distinction becomes automatic. Keep checking your writing, pay attention to contractions, and remember the simple rule: that’s is standard; thats is normally incorrect. Learning small grammar details like this can make your English clearer, more accurate, and more confident.
David Parker is a language researcher and content writer at WordClarity.com, specializing in English word meanings, comparisons, spelling differences, and usage guides. He creates easy-to-understand content that helps readers improve clarity and confidence in everyday English. His work focuses on making language learning simple, accurate, and practical.