Thats or That's? Understanding the Differences

The words thats and that’s often confuse writers because they look and sound so similar. However, their meanings and usages are quite different. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between thats and that’s, their correct uses, examples, and include some questions with answers to help you get a better grasp of when to use each one.

Table of Contents

Definitions

That’s (contraction):
That’s is the contraction of that is or that has. It combines these words to create a shorter form that is commonly used in both speech and writing.

Example: That’s the book I was telling you about.

Example: That’s been a challenging experience for me.

Thats:
Thats is not a word in standard English. If you see thats without an apostrophe, it is most likely a typographical error. The correct form in almost all cases should be that’s (contraction) or that (a demonstrative pronoun).

Incorrect: Thats the car I want to buy.

Correct: That’s the car I want to buy.

Breaking Down the Differences

The main difference between that’s and thats is that that’s is a contraction, while thats is not a word in standard English. Let’s dig deeper into the different contexts in which that’s is used.

1. That’s as a contraction of that is

When you use that’s, it is almost always a contraction of that is. This is by far the most common usage of that’s, and it is often seen in both written and spoken English.

Example:
That’s a beautiful painting.
In this sentence, that’s means that is, so the sentence could be rewritten as:
That is a beautiful painting.
Example:
That’s what I meant to say.
Here, that’s is used as a contraction for that is, and the sentence could be expanded to:
That is what I meant to say.

2. That’s as a contraction of that has

That’s can also be a contraction of that has. This is especially common in sentences where has is used as an auxiliary verb to form the present perfect tense.

Example:
That’s been a great movie so far.
In this sentence, that’s is a contraction for that has, and the sentence could be expanded to:
That has been a great movie so far.
Example:
That’s happened several times this week.
Here, that’s means that has, and the sentence could be rewritten as:
That has happened several times this week.

When to Avoid Thats

As mentioned previously, thats is not acceptable in standard English. If you see it in your writing, it is likely a typo, and you should replace it with that’s or rephrase the sentence to avoid the contraction altogether. For example:

Incorrect:
Thats not the right answer. Correct:
That’s not the right answer. Rephrased (without contraction):
That is not the right answer.

Usage Tips

To avoid confusion between that’s and thats, remember these key points:

That’s is always a contraction of that is or that has.

Thats is not a word in standard English, so it should be corrected to that’s or rephrased.

If you’re ever unsure whether to use that’s, try expanding it into that is or that has. If the expanded form makes sense in your sentence, then that’s is the correct choice. If it doesn’t make sense, you might need to use just that or restructure your sentence.

Common Mistakes

Many people mistakenly write thats instead of that’s. Here are a few examples of common mistakes and how to correct them:

Incorrect:
Thats the best idea I’ve heard all day!
Correct:
That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day! Explanation: The correct form is that’s because it is a contraction of that is.
Incorrect:
Thats been the hardest part of the project.
Correct:
That’s been the hardest part of the project. Explanation: In this case, that’s is a contraction of that has, so thats is incorrect.
Incorrect:
Thats what I was thinking.
Correct:
That’s what I was thinking. Explanation: That’s should be used here because it stands for that is.

Examples of That’s in Sentences

That’s a wonderful idea!

Expanded: That is a wonderful idea!

That’s been a long journey, hasn’t it?

Expanded: That has been a long journey, hasn’t it?

I’m not sure if that’s what she meant.

Expanded: I’m not sure if that is what she meant.

That’s the last time I’ll be late to work.

Expanded: That is the last time I’ll be late to work.

That’s already been taken care of.

Expanded: That has already been taken care of.

Practice Questions

To test your understanding of that’s, here are some practice questions. Try to determine whether that’s is needed or if you should use a different form.

Question:
_ the best way to solve the problem.

a) Thats
b) That’s Answer: b) That’s
Explanation: The correct choice is that’s, because it is a contraction of that is.

Question:
_ been a long time since we last spoke.

a) That’s
b) Thats Answer: a) That’s
Explanation: The correct answer is that’s, as it is a contraction of that has.

Question:
I think _ the car we were looking for.

a) thats
b) that’s Answer: b) that’s
Explanation: The correct answer is that’s, which stands for that is.

Question:
_ the last one on the shelf.

a) Thats
b) That’s Answer: b) That’s
Explanation: The correct answer is that’s because it is a contraction of that is.

Question:
_ what I expected from the concert.

a) That’s
b) Thats Answer: a) That’s
Explanation: The correct answer is that’s, as it stands for that is.

Conclusion

The confusion between that’s and thats is understandable given their similar appearance, but it’s important to remember that that’s is a contraction of that is or that has, while thats is not a word in English.

To avoid mistakes, always expand that’s into that is or that has in your mind to see if it fits the sentence. If it does, then you’re using it correctly. If it doesn’t, you may need to use just that or rephrase the sentence.

With practice, you’ll be able to confidently use that’s in your writing and avoid the common mistake of using the incorrect form thats.

Thats or That’s? Understanding the Differences