Thats vs That’s: The Complete Grammar Guide with Examples
English is full of words that look similar but have very different meanings. One of the most common mistakes people make is confusing “thats” and “that’s.” While they may appear almost identical, only one of them is considered correct in standard English writing.
Whether you’re writing an email, school assignment, social media caption, or professional document, understanding the difference between thats vs that’s can help you communicate clearly and avoid grammar mistakes.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn the meaning, grammar rules, examples, differences between American and British English usage, common mistakes, alternative expressions, and practical exercises.
What Is the Difference Between Thats and That’s?
The key difference is simple:
- That’s is a contraction of that is or that has.
- Thats without an apostrophe is generally considered incorrect in modern English.
Examples
✅ That’s my favorite restaurant.
✅ That’s been a wonderful experience.
❌ Thats my favorite restaurant.
❌ Thats been a wonderful experience.
In both American and British English, that’s is the accepted standard form.
Thats vs That’s Meaning
What Does “That’s” Mean?
The word that’s combines:
- That + is
- That + has
It helps make sentences shorter and more natural.
Examples of “That Is”
- That’s a beautiful house.
- That’s exactly what I wanted.
- That’s the best solution.
Examples of “That Has”
- That’s been a difficult year.
- That’s caused many problems.
- That’s become very popular.
What Does “Thats” Mean?
In standard English, thats has no accepted grammatical function.
It is usually:
- A typing mistake
- A punctuation error
- A result of omitting the apostrophe
Examples
❌ Thats my phone.
✅ That’s my phone.
❌ Thats been amazing.
✅ That’s been amazing.
Thats vs That’s Grammar
Grammar rules make the distinction very clear.
Rule 1: Use “That’s” for “That Is”
Example:
- That’s a good idea.
- That is a good idea.
Both sentences mean the same thing.
Rule 2: Use “That’s” for “That Has”
Example:
- That’s been completed.
- That has been completed.
Both are grammatically correct.
Rule 3: Never Omit the Apostrophe
The apostrophe indicates letters have been removed.
That + is = That’s
That + has = That’s
Without the apostrophe, the contraction becomes incorrect.
Examples
Correct:
- That’s wonderful.
- That’s what happened.
- That’s all I know.
Incorrect:
- Thats wonderful.
- Thats what happened.
- Thats all I know.
That’s Meaning
The meaning of that’s depends on the context.
Meaning 1: That Is
Used to identify, describe, or explain something.
Examples:
- That’s my teacher.
- That’s a fantastic movie.
- That’s the answer.
Meaning 2: That Has
Used to show an action or experience.
Examples:
- That’s changed recently.
- That’s improved significantly.
- That’s happened before.
American English Usage
American English frequently uses contractions in everyday writing and speech.
Examples:
- That’s awesome.
- That’s interesting.
- That’s exactly right.
British English Usage
British English also uses contractions regularly.
Examples:
- That’s brilliant.
- That’s quite helpful.
- That’s a lovely idea.
The meaning remains the same in both varieties of English.
That’s Full Form
Many learners ask about the full form of that’s.
The expansion depends on the sentence.
That’s = That Is
Examples:
- That’s my brother.
- That’s your responsibility.
- That’s the correct answer.
That’s = That Has
Examples:
- That’s been useful.
- That’s become common.
- That’s caused confusion.
Quick Tip
Replace that’s with that is or that has.
If the sentence still makes sense, you’ve used it correctly.
That’s Meaning in Texting
In texting, messaging, and social media, that’s has the same meaning as standard English.
However, people often type quickly and may accidentally write thats.
Examples in Text Messages
- That’s funny.
- That’s crazy!
- That’s amazing news.
Social Media Examples
- That’s exactly how I feel.
- That’s my favorite song.
- That’s the best photo today.
Informal Usage
Many people skip punctuation online, but formal writing still requires the apostrophe.
Example:
Informal:
- thats cool
Formal:
- That’s cool.
Its vs It’s
People often confuse its vs it’s in the same way they confuse thats vs that’s.
It’s
It’s means:
- It is
- It has
Examples:
- It’s raining.
- It’s been wonderful.
- It’s a great opportunity.
Its
Its is a possessive pronoun showing ownership.
Examples:
- The dog wagged its tail.
- The company changed its policy.
- The phone lost its battery life.
Comparison Table
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| That’s | That is / That has | That’s a great idea. |
| Its | Possessive | The cat cleaned its paws. |
| It’s | It is / It has | It’s raining today. |
Common Mistakes
❌ Its raining.
✅ It’s raining.
❌ The dog hurt it’s paw.
✅ The dog hurt its paw.
Other Ways to Say That’s
Depending on context, you can replace that’s with many alternatives.
Formal Alternatives
- That is
- That has
- It is
- It has
- Such is
- This is
Informal Alternatives
- That’s right
- Exactly
- Correct
- Absolutely
- Sure
- Indeed
Conversational Alternatives
- You got it
- That’s true
- No doubt
- Certainly
- Right on
- Agreed
More Expressions
- Precisely
- Definitely
- Without question
Using alternatives can improve writing variety and reduce repetition.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Forgetting the apostrophe in that’s.
- Using thats in formal writing.
- Confusing that’s with its.
- Confusing it’s with its.
- Assuming contractions are always informal.
- Using apostrophes randomly.
- Writing quickly without proofreading.
- Mixing British and American punctuation styles.
- Forgetting that contractions replace missing letters.
- Assuming spell-check catches every error.
- Using that’s when ownership is intended.
- Using its when “it is” is intended.
- Ignoring grammar in emails.
- Copying social media spelling into professional writing.
- Misunderstanding contraction rules.
Tips to Remember the Difference
- The apostrophe replaces missing letters.
- That’s equals that is or that has.
- Read the sentence aloud.
- Expand the contraction mentally.
- If “that is” works, use that’s.
- If “that has” works, use that’s.
- Never write thats in formal English.
- Proofread before publishing.
- Check grammar software suggestions.
- Practice contractions regularly.
Fill in the Blanks Exercise
Choose the correct answer.
1.
_____ my favorite book.
Answer: That’s
2.
The company updated _____ website.
Answer: its
3.
_____ been a busy week.
Answer: That’s
4.
The bird spread _____ wings.
Answer: its
5.
_____ an excellent idea.
Answer: That’s
6.
The machine stopped because _____ broken.
Answer: it’s
7.
_____ exactly what I meant.
Answer: That’s
8.
The school changed _____ schedule.
Answer: its
9.
_____ been a long journey.
Answer: That’s
10.
The organization revised _____ policy.
Answer: its
Answers
- That’s
- its
- That’s
- its
- That’s
- it’s
- That’s
- its
- That’s
- its
Tips and Tricks for Solving These Questions
- Replace that’s with “that is” or “that has.”
- If the sentence still works, use that’s.
- Its shows ownership.
- It’s means it is or it has.
- Apostrophes often signal contractions.
- Read the sentence aloud.
- Check whether possession is involved.
- Expand contractions mentally.
- Watch for common typing errors.
- Practice with real-world examples.
Conclusion
Understanding thats vs that’s is easier once you remember that that’s is a contraction of that is or that has, while thats is generally considered incorrect in standard English. This rule applies in both American and British English. Learning the difference can improve your grammar, writing accuracy, and professional communication. By practicing contractions, recognizing apostrophe usage, and reviewing examples regularly, you’ll avoid one of the most common English punctuation mistakes. Whether you’re writing emails, academic papers, social media posts, or business documents, using that’s correctly helps your writing appear polished, credible, and grammatically correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between thats and that’s?
The main difference is that that’s is a correct contraction of that is or that has, while thats without an apostrophe is generally considered incorrect in standard English. Writers use that’s in both formal and informal communication to make sentences shorter and more natural.
What is the definition of thats?
The word thats has no official definition in modern English because standard grammar requires an apostrophe in the contraction that’s. Most people use thats by mistake when they forget to include the apostrophe while typing or writing.
When to use that and that’s?
Use that as a pronoun or determiner when referring to a person, thing, or idea, such as That book is mine. Use that’s when you mean that is or that has, such as That’s a great idea or That’s been helpful.
What does tis tis tis mean?
The phrase “tis, tis, tis” is not a standard English expression, but ’tis is an old contraction of it is commonly found in poetry, songs, and historical writing. People sometimes repeat it for emphasis, humor, or to imitate old-fashioned speech.
Is that’s a real word?
Yes, that’s is a real English word and a recognized contraction of that is or that has. Dictionaries and grammar guides accept it as standard usage in both American and British English.
Why is that’s written with an apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows that letters have been omitted from the original phrase that is or that has. English contractions use apostrophes to indicate missing letters and create shorter forms.
Can I use thats in formal writing?
You should avoid thats in formal writing because grammar rules consider it incorrect. Always write that’s when you mean that is or that has to maintain proper punctuation.
Is that’s used in American and British English?
Yes, both American and British English use that’s in the same way and with the same meaning. The contraction follows identical grammar rules across both varieties of English.
How can I check if that’s is correct?
Replace that’s with that is or that has and read the sentence again. If the sentence still makes sense, then you have used that’s correctly.
What is a common mistake with that’s?
A common mistake is writing thats instead of that’s because people forget the apostrophe. This error often appears in text messages, social media posts, and fast typing situations.
