That’s or thats? The correct spelling is that’s, with an apostrophe. It is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” “Thats” without the apostrophe is a common typo in texts and emails. This guide covers the difference between that’s and thats, simple rules, and clear examples.
What Does That’s Mean?
That’s is a short form of two words joined into one. The apostrophe marks the missing letters. Standard dictionaries list it as a contraction of “that is” and “that has.”
That’s as “That Is” and “That Has”
Most of the time, that’s means “that is.” It points to something or states a fact. The less common use is “that has,” and it appears before a past participle such as “been” or “become.”
| Contraction | Full Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| That’s | That is | That’s a great idea. |
| That’s | That has | That’s been a problem for months. |
- That’s = “that is”: That’s my favorite song.
- That’s = “that has”: That’s already happened twice.
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What Does Thats Mean?
Thats has no standard meaning on its own. It is almost always a misspelling of “that’s.” The mistake happens when we type fast, use a phone, or skip punctuation in casual chats.
Is Thats a Real Word?
In standard English, thats is not a correct word. It has one narrow use: as a plural noun when editors talk about the word itself, as in “Cut the extra thats from this paragraph.”
Some language writers have suggested a possessive “thats,” like “its” and “whose.” That idea has not caught on. Stick with “whose” for possession.
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That’s vs Thats Differences Chart
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
|---|---|---|
| Apostrophe | Yes | No |
| Meaning | That is / That has | No standard meaning |
| Correct in standard English | Yes | No (usually) |
| Found in dictionaries | Yes | No (as a contraction) |
Easy Trick to Remember That’s or Thats
Use the expansion test. Replace the word with “that is” or “that has.” If the sentence still works, write that’s with an apostrophe.
- “That’s a good point” becomes “That is a good point.” It works.
- Say it out loud. If you hear two words, you need the apostrophe.
How to Use That’s Correctly in Sentences
Use that’s in emails, texts, blog posts, and most workplace writing. It sounds natural and friendly. In legal papers, research papers, and very formal reports, spell out “that is.”
Common That’s or Thats Mistakes
| Wrong ❌ | Correct ✅ |
| Thats a great point. | That’s a great point. |
| I think thats correct. | I think that’s correct. |
| Thats why we left. | That’s why we left. |
| A car thats lights are off. | A car whose lights are off. |
Common phrases to remember:
- That’s why
- That’s right
- That’s correct
- That’s all
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FAQ’s About That’s or Thats
Is “thats” ever correct?
Almost never. The only rare case is the plural noun in editing, as in “too many thats.” For everything else, write “that’s.”
Why does “that’s” need an apostrophe?
The apostrophe shows that letters were left out. It replaces the “i” in “is” or the “ha” in “has.”
Can I use “that’s” in formal writing?
Yes, in most business writing. For legal, academic, or very formal documents, use the full form “that is.”
What’s the difference between “that’s” and “that is”?
Nothing in meaning. “That’s” is the shorter, more casual version. Choose it for a natural tone.
Is it “that’s why” or “thats why”?
It is “that’s why.” It means “that is why” and always takes an apostrophe.
Hi, I’m Dylan Ross, the author of GrammarConcept.com. I make English grammar, grammar rules, and sentence structure easier to understand through simple explanations, practical examples, and helpful guides. My goal is to help students, writers, and English learners improve their grammar and communicate with confidence.
