Many English learners, students, and even native speakers often get confused between “that’s” and “thats.” At first glance, they look almost the same, but only one of them is correct in standard English. This small spelling difference can affect your writing in exams, emails, assignments, and professional communication.
The confusion usually happens because spoken English often blends words together, and when people write quickly, they forget punctuation rules like apostrophes. As a result, “thats” appears frequently in informal writing, chats, and social media—even though it is grammatically incorrect.
Understanding the difference is important because using correct grammar helps you look more professional, confident, and accurate in both academic and workplace settings. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about that’s or thats, including meaning, rules, examples, and common mistakes, in a simple and practical way.
Meaning of That’s and “Thats” in English
To understand the difference, we first need to break down what each form means.
What does “that’s” mean?
“That’s” is a contraction. It is formed by combining:
- that + is = that’s
- that + has = that’s
It is used in everyday English to make speech and writing more natural and smooth.
Examples:
- That’s my phone. (That is my phone.)
- That’s been a long day. (That has been a long day.)
What does “thats” mean?
“Thats” is NOT a correct word in standard English.
It is simply a common spelling mistake where the apostrophe is missing.
So:
- ❌ thats (incorrect)
- ✅ that’s (correct)
Quick Comparison Table: That’s vs Thats
| Feature | That’s | Thats |
| Grammar status | Correct contraction | Incorrect spelling |
| Meaning | That is / That has | No meaning in English |
| Apostrophe | Required (’) | Missing |
| Usage | Formal & informal writing | Common mistake |
| Example | That’s amazing! | ❌ thats amazing |
Correct Spelling and Grammar Rule of That’s
The main rule is simple:
Always use an apostrophe in contractions.
“That’s” is a contraction, so the apostrophe replaces missing letters.
Breakdown:
- That is → That’s
- That has → That’s
This rule applies to many contractions in English:
| Full Form | Contraction |
| do not | don’t |
| cannot | can’t |
| it is | it’s |
| that is | that’s |
Important Rule to Remember:
If there is no apostrophe, the word is usually incorrect in standard grammar.
Why “thats” is wrong
“Thats” is wrong because:
- English does not allow contractions without apostrophes
- It does not represent a standard word
- It is not found in dictionaries as a correct form
Even though you may see “thats” online, especially in chats or informal posts, it should never be used in formal writing.
Why People Get Confused Between That’s and Thats
The confusion between that’s or thats is very common. Here are the main reasons:
1. Fast typing in digital communication
People often skip apostrophes when texting quickly.
2. Lack of grammar awareness
Many learners are not fully taught contraction rules in early learning stages.
3. Informal internet writing
On social media, grammar is often ignored, so incorrect forms spread.
4. Pronunciation similarity
When spoken, “that’s” and “thats” sound identical, so learners don’t notice the difference.
Common confusion examples
- Text: “thats so funny” ❌
- Correct: “that’s so funny” ✅
- Text: “thats my friend” ❌
- Correct: “that’s my friend” ✅
Usage of That’s in Sentences (With Real Examples)
Let’s understand how “that’s” is used in real-life communication.
Everyday conversation examples:
- That’s a great idea!
- That’s exactly what I needed.
- That’s not fair.
- That’s my favorite movie.
Professional communication:
- That’s the final report for review.
- That’s a valid point in the discussion.
- That’s the reason for the delay.
Academic writing:
- That’s an important conclusion in the study.
- That’s a key factor in the experiment results.
Correct vs Incorrect Usage Table
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
| thats a good idea | that’s a good idea |
| thats my bag | that’s my bag |
| thats not true | that’s not true |
| thats interesting | that’s interesting |
Grammar Rules Behind That’s (Contractions Explained)
To fully understand that’s or thats, you must understand contractions in English grammar.
A contraction is when two words are shortened into one by:
- Removing letters
- Adding an apostrophe (’)
Structure of “that’s”:
- that + is → that’s
- that + has → that’s
Why apostrophes matter:
The apostrophe shows:
- Missing letters
- A shortened form of a phrase
Without it, the word becomes grammatically incorrect.
Common contraction rules table
| Contraction | Full Form | Example Sentence |
| that’s | that is | That’s my phone |
| it’s | it is | It’s raining today |
| don’t | do not | Don’t go there |
| she’s | she is | She’s my teacher |
Pronunciation of That’s vs Thats
Interestingly, there is no pronunciation difference between “that’s” and “thats.”
Both are pronounced as:
/ðæts/
This is another reason why people get confused. Since spoken English does not show the apostrophe, learners may assume both forms are correct.
Key takeaway:
- Spoken form = same sound
- Written form = only “that’s” is correct
Common Mistakes with That’s or Thats
Let’s look at the most frequent errors learners make.
Mistake 1: Dropping the apostrophe
- ❌ thats fine
- ✅ that’s fine
Mistake 2: Overusing contractions in formal writing
- ❌ Thats the conclusion of the report
- ✅ That is the conclusion of the report
Mistake 3: Confusing “that’s” with “its”
- ❌ Thats important (wrong spelling)
- ❌ It’s important (different meaning)
Common mistakes correction table
| Wrong Usage | Correct Usage | Reason |
| thats good | that’s good | missing apostrophe |
| thats ok | that’s ok | contraction error |
| thats amazing | that’s amazing | grammar rule violation |
| thats right | that’s right | incorrect spelling |
British vs American English Usage
There is no difference between British and American English when it comes to “that’s.”
Both varieties:
- Use “that’s” as the correct contraction
- Do NOT accept “thats” as correct spelling
Summary:
| Style | Correct Form | Incorrect Form |
| British English | that’s | thats |
| American English | that’s | thats |
So no matter where you are learning English, the rule remains the same.
FAQs About That’s or Thats
1. Is “thats” a real word?
No. “Thats” is not a valid English word. It is a spelling mistake.
2. When do we use “that’s”?
We use “that’s” when we mean:
- that is
- that has
3. Can I use “thats” in informal writing?
It is still incorrect. Even in informal writing, “that’s” is the proper form.
4. Why do people write “thats”?
Mostly due to fast typing and missing grammar knowledge.
5. Is “that’s” formal or informal?
It is used in both, but in formal writing, you may prefer:
- “that is” instead of “that’s”
Conclusion: That’s or Thats – The Final Rule You Must Remember
The difference between that’s and thats is simple but important. “That’s” is always correct, while “thats” is always incorrect in standard English grammar. The apostrophe in “that’s” is not optional—it is what makes the word grammatically valid.
To remember easily:
- “that’s” = correct contraction of that is / that has
- “thats” = spelling mistake (avoid it)
By using “that’s” correctly in your writing, you improve your grammar, clarity, and professionalism. Whether you’re writing exams, emails, or social media posts, this small correction can make a big difference in how polished your English looks.
Mastering details like this helps you become a more confident and accurate English communicator—one correct apostrophe at a time.
