Thats or That’s — Which Is Correct?

When I first started teaching English, I noticed how everyday English creates confusion, especially when explaining Thats or That’s — Which Is Correct, and this often happened because of small words, Thats, “That’s”, that’s, and thats that many people used incorrectly.

As years passed, I saw how correct, grammatically proper use mattered in every email, social media post, academic paper, or written message. In casual speech, things felt informal, but in formal writing, the wrong version became a clear spelling error. So I would break down how an apostrophe changes the meaning, how “That is” or “that has” sit inside the contraction, and why learners should Remember them to stay clear, even when fast typing, dealing with autocorrect, or omitting symbols by mistake.

During tutoring sessions, I often used simple example lines to improve communication, showing an instance where a phrase might cover different words depending on context. As a writer, my own habit is to give extra attention to details to avoid unnecessary errors and make writing smoother, whether drafting a quick texting reply, preparing a post, or polishing something for the English language community. With steady Learning, these choices truly matters, and things become more obvious, even in busy times, helping you express a more confident and professional style.

Table of Contents

What you need to know up front: That’s is the correct form in standard English

That’s with an apostrophe is the contraction of that is or that has. Thats without an apostrophe is not a standard word in English and is a common typo. Use that’s whenever you mean that is or that has in informal or most semi-formal writing. For formal academic or legal prose, consider spelling out that is or that has instead.

Why contractions use an apostrophe: the grammar rule in plain terms

An apostrophe in a contraction marks missing letters. English shortens two words into one by dropping letters and inserting an apostrophe where letters used to be. That is → That’s replaces the missing i in is. This is standard across contractions like don’t it’s and we’re. The principle is simple yet the consequences are clear: omit the apostrophe and you create either an error or a different word.

Breaking it down: what that’s actually means

That’s performs two jobs in English.

“That’s” = “That is”

When you want to say that is in a shorter way use that’s.
Examples:

That’s my bag. → That is my bag.
That’s not what I meant. → That is not what I meant.

“That’s” = “That has”

When has acts as an auxiliary verb use that’s to shorten that has.
Examples:

That’s been helpful. → That has been helpful.
That’s gone missing. → That has gone missing.

Context tells you which meaning applies. If the following word is a past participle like been or seen then that’s usually expands to that has. If the following word is an adjective or noun then that’s often equals that is. Grammar sites and dictionaries confirm this dual use.

Why thats is incorrect in standard writing

People see thats often online. Three reasons explain the error.

Fast typing and autocorrect: people skip punctuation and rely on tech to fix them. Autocorrect sometimes misses apostrophes.
Lack of understanding: some writers don’t connect the missing apostrophe to a missing letter.
Casual speech spilling into writing: texting style and social posts normalize apostrophe-free contractions.

None of these reasons make thats correct. In formal writing and most professional contexts the apostrophe matters for clarity and credibility. Authoritative grammar resources and style guides treat missing apostrophes in contractions as errors to correct.

Quick decision chart: Should you write that’s or thats?

Situation	Choose
You mean that is	that’s
You mean that has (auxiliary + past participle follows)	that’s
You’re writing formal academic/legal text	Prefer that is / that has spelled out
You see thats in casual chat or social media	Recognize it as a typo or slang not standard English

Examples that show the difference clearly

Here are real-world, practical sentences with commentary.

Sentence	Expansion	Notes
That’s cold out today.	That is cold out today.	Use when describing current state
That’s finished already.	That has finished already	Has is auxiliary before past participle
I know that’s true.	I know that is true.	Embedded clause after know
Thats the point.	Incorrect — should be That’s	Common typo in informal text

Tip: If you can naturally read that is or that has in place of that’s and the sentence still makes sense, then that’s is correct. If you can’t expand it to a meaningful phrase then re-evaluate.

Writing examples for emails essays and social media

Emails (professional)

Wrong: Thats not the revised copy
Right: That’s not the revised copy or That is not the revised copy when you want a more formal tone.

Essays (academic)

Prefer: That is the primary finding instead of That’s the primary finding. Formal writing typically avoids contractions.

Social media (casual)

That’s awesome! is perfect. But avoid Thats awesome if you want to look careful and attentive.

Tables of common contractions and what they omit

Contraction	Expanded form	Letters omitted
that’s	that is / that has	i or ha (contextual)
it’s	it is / it has	i or ha
don’t	do not	o
we’re	we are	a

Reference: dictionaries and grammar texts explain contractions as omitted letters replaced by apostrophes.

Misconceptions leading to the common thats error

People often conflate possessive nouns with contractions. Compare:

That’s (contraction of that is/that has)
Thats (incorrect)
That’s can be confused with possessives like the cat’s which indicates possession. But that rarely forms a possessive this way.

Another confusion arises between its and it’s. It’s = it is or it has while its signals possession. This pair trips many writers but it’s a different issue from that’s vs thats. Authoritative grammar references clearly separate these roles.

How a missing apostrophe can change meaning: a short case study

Case study: a product update email

Scenario: A product manager emails stakeholders:

Thats released — check the docs.

Stakeholders read it quickly. Some assume Thats is a name or project code. Others think it’s casual. The ambiguity triggers clarification emails and delays.

Fix: That’s released — check the docs. or That has been released — check the docs.

Outcome: Adding or expanding the contraction reduces confusion and speeds action. The small punctuation change saves time and avoids misinterpretation. This happens often in rushed teams. Proofreading for apostrophes is fast and impactful.

Practical rules and memory tricks — fast and useful

Say it out loud: if you hear “that is” or “that has” in the spoken version use that’s in casual writing.
Look for past participles after it: if the next word is been gone seen then that’s = that has.
Formal writing rule: avoid contractions across academic or legal texts. Spell them out.
Apostrophe as placeholder: imagine the apostrophe sitting where letters vanished. If that visualization helps add it.

Common errors and how to fix them (with quick edits)

Error: Thats been a headache.
Fix: That’s been a headache. → Expansion: That has been a headache.
Error: Thats the way I see it.
Fix: That’s the way I see it. → Expansion: That is the way I see it.
Error: I cant believe thats true
Fix: I can’t believe that’s true.
Note: multiple apostrophes can be missing in a single sentence; proofread for them all.

Quotes from authorities

“A contraction is a shortening of a word or group of words where letters are omitted and replaced by an apostrophe.” — dictionary definitions of contraction.

“Use an apostrophe to show where letters have been left out in words such as it’s or isn’t.” — Cambridge Dictionary guidance on apostrophes.

(Quotes paraphrase authoritative guidance and stay under short-quote limits.)

The role of style guides: when to use or avoid that’s

AP Style: favors clarity and economy but discourages improper punctuation. Contractions are acceptable in many contexts but check for tone.
Chicago Manual of Style: permits contractions in informal contexts; formal writing should use full forms.
Government and legal style manuals: often prefer full forms for precision.
Online content and journalism: contractions, including that’s, are common for conversational tone.

For punctuation rules and apostrophe usage consult grammar sites and style guides for guidance tailored to your domain.

Quick reference cheat sheet (printable)

When to use that’s

You mean that is → use that’s in informal and conversational writing.
You mean that has → use that’s when followed by a past participle like been gone seen.
In formal writing → prefer that is or that has.

When not to use thats

Never in standard formal or editorial contexts.
Treat it as a typo to be corrected.
If you see thats across many social posts accept it as slang or a mistake not a grammatical variant.

Frequently asked questions about that’s and thats

Is “thats” ever correct in any dialect or context?
Not in standard written English. You might see it in informal internet chat or in names where capitalization matters like ThatsApp as a brand but this is nonstandard. Authoritative grammar sources list that’s as the contraction form.

When does “that’s” mean “that has”?
When it precedes a past participle such as been seen or done. Example: That’s been fixed. expands to That has been fixed. This is the usual test.

Should I avoid contractions in formal writing?
Yes for formal academic legal or technical writing spell out that is or that has. In blog posts emails and much journalism contractions feel natural and reader-friendly. Style guides clarify this choice.

Does “that’s” ever act like a possessive?
No. Possessive forms use apostrophe-s to show belonging like the cat’s bowl. That’s is a contraction not a possessive. Be careful not to confuse it with similar looking possessive forms.

How can I avoid apostrophe errors when I write quickly?
Use simple proofreading habits: read aloud look for missing sounds use search-and-replace checks for common contractions and enable grammar tools in your editor. Grammar checkers catch many but not all mistakes.

A short checklist editors and writers should use

Read the sentence aloud. If you hear “that is” or “that has” add the apostrophe.
Check the next word; if it’s a past participle consider that has.
For formal contexts avoid contractions entirely.
Run a spell-and-grammar check and pay attention to flagged apostrophes.
Keep a one-line rule near your keyboard: That’s = That is / That has. Thats = typo.

Closing: small punctuation big difference

A correctly placed apostrophe clarifies meaning and signals care. That’s is the right choice when you mean that is or that has. Avoid thats in standard writing. Train yourself to read aloud and to question missing punctuation when you skim text. A quick habit of adding that apostrophe saves time and preserves professional tone.

References and further reading

Merriam-Webster on contraction definitions and usage.
Cambridge Dictionary guidance on the apostrophe and contractions.
GrammarPaths article That’s or Thats — Which Is Correct? (clear practical guidance).
Proofreading.org article How to Use Apostrophes Correctly (rules and common errors).
Style Manual (Australian Government) on apostrophes and punctuation conventions.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between Thats and That’s may feel small, but it has a big impact on how clearly you communicate. When you learn how the apostrophe changes the meaning and know when to use the correct form, your writing becomes smoother and more professional. With a bit of practice and attention, you’ll start catching these tiny details automatically, and your confidence in English will grow every day.