Have you ever paused while typing an email or scheduling a meeting and wondered if it’s “that’s” or “thats”? You’re not alone. This tiny apostrophe often sparks confusion—even among professionals who deal with business communication, project management, or formal writing daily. Whether you’re preparing an agenda, drafting an online booking notice, or managing broadcasting schedules, knowing when to use the correct form shows your mastery of English usage and attention to detail. Getting it wrong can make your message look rushed or careless, especially in corporate or academic settings where grammar and consistency matter most.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the difference between “that’s” (the contraction for that is or that has) and “thats” (a common but incorrect form). You’ll learn how style preferences—like those in US vs. UK English—affect punctuation choices, and how correct usage keeps your communication polished and professional. By the end, you’ll feel confident using the right form in emails, calendar invites, and meeting summaries, ensuring your writing remains clear, credible, and grammatically sound.
Why People Confuse “That’s” and “Thats”
English loves to keep writers on their toes. Between its vs it’s, your vs you’re, and now that’s vs thats, apostrophes play a starring role in many grammar mix-ups. Most people type “thats” because it looks right when they’re writing quickly or texting. Others simply aren’t sure what the apostrophe does.
Here’s the truth:
- That’s is always the correct form when you mean “that is” or “that has.”
- Thats (without the apostrophe) is almost always incorrect, except in a very rare situation we’ll discuss later.
So yes — the apostrophe matters. It’s not just a punctuation mark; it’s the difference between polished writing and a grammar error.
Understanding What “That’s” Really Means
That’s is a contraction — a shortened form of two words combined. Specifically, it contracts either:
- that + is → that’s
- that + has → that’s
Let’s break that down with examples.
When “That’s” Means “That Is”
- That’s my favorite movie. (→ That is my favorite movie.)
- That’s exactly what I meant. (→ That is exactly what I meant.)
- That’s so funny! (→ That is so funny!)
In every sentence above, you can expand “that’s” into “that is” and the sentence still works perfectly.
When “That’s” Means “That Has”
- That’s been a great experience. (→ That has been a great experience.)
- That’s gone too far. (→ That has gone too far.)
- That’s taken care of. (→ That has taken care of.)
You’ll notice the verb after “that’s” usually ends in a past participle (been, gone, taken, etc.) — that’s a sign you’re dealing with the “has” contraction.
💡 Tip: When in doubt, try expanding “that’s.” If “that is” or “that has” fits naturally, then you’ve used it correctly.
The Role of the Apostrophe
The apostrophe (‘) in that’s isn’t decorative. It replaces the missing letters in the contraction.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Full Form | Contraction | Letters Omitted | Example Sentence |
| that is | that’s | “i” | That’s a great idea. |
| that has | that’s | “ha” | That’s already finished. |
Think of the apostrophe as a shortcut sign telling readers, “Hey, something’s been left out here, but you still know what it means.”
Without it, your sentence becomes confusing — or flat-out wrong.
So What About “Thats”?
Let’s be clear: “Thats” without an apostrophe is almost never correct in modern English. The vast majority of the time, it’s just a typo.
However, there’s a quirky exception.
In rare cases, “thats” can be used as the plural of the word “that” when you’re talking about the word itself, not its meaning.
For example:
- The teacher explained the difference between the thises and the thats in the sentence.
In this sentence, “thats” isn’t a contraction — it’s a plural noun referring to instances of the word that. You’ll mostly see this kind of expression in linguistic discussions or playful writing, not in everyday use.
⚠️ Important: Outside of this rare linguistic use, “thats” is incorrect. If you mean “that is” or “that has,” you need the apostrophe.
Examples: “That’s” vs “Thats” in Action
| Sentence | Correct/Incorrect | Explanation |
| That’s my car. | ✅ Correct | Contraction of “that is.” |
| Thats my car. | ❌ Incorrect | Missing apostrophe. |
| That’s been happening all week. | ✅ Correct | Contraction of “that has.” |
| Thats been happening all week. | ❌ Incorrect | Missing apostrophe. |
| I don’t like all these thats in the paragraph. | ✅ Correct (rare) | Plural of the word that used as a noun. |
Why “Thats” Feels Wrong
Even if you can’t explain why, your brain probably knows “thats” looks odd. That’s because English readers are trained to expect an apostrophe when seeing familiar contractions like it’s, that’s, what’s, and who’s.
“Thats” disrupts that visual pattern. It triggers a little red flag in your brain — and your readers will notice too.
In digital communication, spelling and punctuation are part of your credibility. A small missing apostrophe can make your writing look rushed, careless, or even uneducated. In professional emails, academic writing, or published content, that tiny punctuation mark matters.
Common Mistakes with “That’s” and How to Fix Them
Let’s look at the most frequent slip-ups people make — and how to correct them easily.
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Form |
| Thats a nice shirt. | Missing apostrophe (should be contraction of “that is”). | That’s a nice shirt. |
| Thats been happening for days. | Missing apostrophe (contraction of “that has”). | That’s been happening for days. |
| That’s colors are bright. | Wrong use of contraction (should show possession). | Its colors are bright. |
| Thats idea isn’t clear. | Wrong form; missing apostrophe. | That’s idea isn’t clear. → Better yet, That idea isn’t clear. |
Quick Fix Method
Here’s how to self-check your writing:
- Expand “that’s” to “that is” or “that has.”
- If the sentence still makes sense — perfect, you’re right.
- If it doesn’t fit, rethink the sentence. Maybe you meant “its,” “whose,” or another word entirely.
Case Study: Why Apostrophes Matter in Real Communication
Let’s look at a short case study to show how something as small as an apostrophe can completely change meaning — and impact professionalism.
Scenario
A customer service rep emails a client:
“Thats been fixed already, thank you for your patience.”
How It’s Perceived
Even though the message is polite, the missing apostrophe might make the company seem careless or unpolished — especially in a customer-facing context.
Revised Version
“That’s been fixed already. Thank you for your patience.”
The meaning is the same, but the second version looks cleaner, more trustworthy, and grammatically correct. That one apostrophe quietly boosts credibility.
Apostrophes: Quick Primer
Apostrophes in English mainly do two jobs:
- Show possession – Sarah’s book, the company’s policy, the dog’s collar
- Create contractions – that’s, it’s, don’t, can’t, won’t
They never make nouns plural. That’s why you don’t write apple’s to mean more than one apple. Similarly, you don’t add an apostrophe to pluralize “that” — unless you’re showing ownership (that’s meaning is clear) or forming a contraction.
Here’s a simple cheat table:
| Usage Type | Example | Meaning |
| Possession | The cat’s toy. | The toy belonging to the cat. |
| Contraction | That’s amazing. | That is amazing. |
| Incorrect plural | Apples’s | ❌ Wrong – Apostrophe not used for plurals. |
“That’s” in Formal vs Informal Writing
Contractions like “that’s” are completely natural in spoken and informal written English. But in formal or academic writing, it’s often better to spell out the full phrase.
When to Use “That’s”
- Conversational writing (blogs, emails, social media)
- Dialogue or storytelling
- Informal communication with friends or colleagues
When to Use “That Is” or “That Has”
- Academic papers
- Business reports
- Professional letters or proposals
Example:
Informal: That’s a good idea.
Formal: That is a good idea.
It’s not wrong to use “that’s” in formal writing — it’s just a stylistic choice that depends on tone and context.
Read More: “In the Street” or “On the Street”: Understanding the Difference Like a Native Speaker
British vs American English: Any Difference?
Good news — no major difference here. Both British and American English use “that’s” the same way. Whether you’re in London or Los Angeles, the rules don’t change.
However, style preferences can vary slightly:
- British English writers might avoid contractions a bit more often in formal prose.
- American English writers use contractions more freely, even in semi-formal writing.
Either way, “that’s” remains the standard form of “that is” and “that has.”
FAQs About “That’s” vs “Thats”
Can “thats” ever be correct?
Yes — but only in the rare plural sense, like “the thises and the thats.” It’s almost never used outside linguistics or informal creative writing.
Is “that’s” short for “that has”?
Yes. It can mean either “that is” or “that has”, depending on the verb that follows.
How can I tell which meaning “that’s” has?
Look at the next word:
- If it’s an adjective, noun, or adverb → “that is”
e.g., That’s true. That’s amazing. - If it’s a past participle → “that has”
e.g., That’s gone too far. That’s been proven.
Why do people miss the apostrophe?
Typing quickly, using phones, or relying on autocorrect often causes missed punctuation. Always proofread before sending or posting.
What’s the difference between “its” and “it’s”?
Similar concept:
- its = possessive (belonging to it)
- it’s = contraction (it is / it has)
Understanding one helps you master the other.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
When you’re writing fast, use this mini-guide to double-check yourself:
| Situation | Correct Form | Example |
| You mean “that is” | that’s | That’s my point. |
| You mean “that has” | that’s | That’s been decided. |
| You’re talking about the word “that” itself (plural) | thats | These thats confuse the sentence. |
| You’re not sure? | Try expanding to “that is” or “that has.” | If it doesn’t fit, don’t use that’s. |
✅ Rule of thumb: 99% of the time, use that’s. Only 1% of the time — and usually in academic contexts — might “thats” be correct.
Proofreading Checklist Before You Publish or Send
Use this short checklist to eliminate apostrophe errors in your writing:
- Expand contractions to test them (that’s → that is / that has).
- Scan for missing apostrophes in common words: it’s, that’s, what’s, who’s.
- Re-read your work aloud — hearing the rhythm helps spot missing punctuation.
- Use grammar tools (like Grammarly or Hemingway) to double-check.
- Learn from patterns — most apostrophe errors follow the same few rules.
Related Grammar Comparisons
If you found this guide useful, you’ll love diving into similar topics that follow the same apostrophe logic:
- Its vs It’s – The Definitive Grammar Guide
- Whose vs Who’s – Learn the Difference
- Your vs You’re – How to Use Them Correctly
Each one reinforces the same principle: apostrophes replace missing letters, not pluralize words.
Real-World Examples: Mistake vs Correct
Let’s see how tiny differences change entire meanings.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence | Explanation |
| Thats really helpful. | That’s really helpful. | Missing apostrophe. |
| I know thats not true. | I know that’s not true. | Contraction needed. |
| All those thats confuse me. | ✅ Same | Correct if referring to the plural of the word “that.” |
| Thats gone too far. | That’s gone too far. | Missing apostrophe; contraction of “that has.” |
Why You Should Care About Small Grammar Rules
Sure, it’s just a tiny apostrophe. But language is about connection. Every small detail you get right makes your message clearer and your tone more confident.
Whether you’re writing a resume, blog, or tweet — correct punctuation builds trust. It signals care, intelligence, and professionalism.
Think of grammar as the invisible handshake behind your words. A firm, correct handshake leaves a better impression than a weak or sloppy one.
Conclusion: “That’s” vs “Thats” — The Final Word
In the end, the rule is simple: “that’s” is always correct, while “thats” isn’t a real word in standard English. Remember, “that’s” combines that is or that has, making it essential for clear, professional communication—whether you’re drafting an email, managing a project schedule, or updating a calendar invite. Following this small yet crucial grammar rule enhances your credibility and keeps your business communication polished and consistent.
So next time you’re writing a report or preparing meeting notes, pause for a moment and double-check that apostrophe. It’s a tiny mark that makes a big difference. With consistent practice and attention to English grammar, you’ll never mix up “that’s” and “thats” again—no matter if you’re following US or UK writing conventions.
FAQS
FAQs About “That’s” vs. “Thats”
1. Is “thats” ever correct in English?
No, “thats” is never correct. The correct form is “that’s,” which is a contraction of that is or that has. Without the apostrophe, it becomes a spelling error.
2. What does “that’s” mean?
“That’s”
is short for that is or that has. For example:
- That’s my favorite song → That is my favorite song.
- That’s been a long day → That has been a long day.
3. Why is the apostrophe important in “that’s”?
The apostrophe replaces missing letters in a contraction. In “that’s,” it replaces the “i” in is or the “ha” in has. It signals proper grammar and professional writing consistency—especially in business communication or formal writing.
4. Is there a difference between US and UK usage of “that’s”?
No, both US and UK English use “that’s” the same way. However, differences may appear in punctuation style or tone in formal writing, depending on the region or style guide you follow.
5. Can I use “that’s” in formal writing?
In most formal documents, contractions like “that’s” are avoided. Instead, write that is or that has. However, in emails, business communication, and project management tools where a conversational tone is acceptable, “that’s” is perfectly fine.
6. What are common mistakes similar to “thats”?
Common mistakes include omitting apostrophes in words like its/it’s, whos/who’s, or dont/don’t. These small punctuation errors can affect clarity and professional credibility.
7. How can I avoid confusing “that’s” and “thats”?
A quick trick: if you can replace it with that is or that has and the sentence still makes sense, use “that’s.” If not, you probably need a different structure.
8. Does grammar consistency matter in professional settings?
Absolutely. Whether you’re managing schedules, planning meetings, or maintaining online booking systems, consistent grammar and punctuation strengthen your business image and improve communication clarity.
Ethan Miller is the writer behind GrammarApex.com, where he shares practical tips, word alternatives, and writing guides to help you communicate with clarity and confidence.