How to use That’s or thats

That’s short for “that is” or “that has.” Many writers wonder if they should ever write thats without an apostrophe. 

The right choice helps your writing look clear and correct. This article will show simple rules and clear examples. It will point out common mistakes and give quick tips to remember. Read on to feel sure when to use each form.

Parts of speech analysis and grammar check

Below I list each sentence from the introduction and label the main parts of speech, check verb tense and agreement, and note any issues with articles, prepositions, or sentence structure.

That’s one little word people often ask about

• Word-by-word (main labels): That’s (contraction = that [pronoun] + is [verb, present]) | one(numeral/determiner) | little (adjective) | word (noun) | people (noun) | often (adverb) | ask (verb, base form) | about (preposition).
• Verb tense & agreement: is is present and correctly matches singular subject That; ask here is present simple with plural subject people, so agreement is correct.
• Sentence structure: Complete sentence; active voice; clear. No fragments or run-ons.

That’s short for “that is” or “that has”

• That’s (contraction = that [pronoun] + is [verb]) | short (adjective) | for (preposition) | “that is” (phrase; that pronoun + is verb) | or (conjunction) | “that has” (phrase; that pronoun + has verb).
• Verb tense & agreement: is and has are present and correct in the quoted expansions.
• Structure: Clear explanatory sentence. No error with articles or prepositions.

Many writers wonder if they should ever write thats without an apostrophe

• Many (determiner/adjective) | writers (noun) | wonder (verb, present) | if (conjunction) | they (pronoun) | should (modal verb) | ever (adverb) | write (verb, base) | thats (noun / word form) | without (preposition) | an (indefinite article) | apostrophe (noun).
• Verb tense & agreement: wonder agrees with plural writers (present simple). should write uses modal + base verb — correct.
• Structure: Clear. Note: thats without an apostrophe is singled out as the risky form.

The right choice helps your writing look clear and correct

• The (definite article) | right (adjective) | choice (noun) | helps (verb, present, singular) | your (possessive pronoun/determiner) | writing (noun/gerund) | look (verb, base) | clear (adjective) | and (conjunction) | correct (adjective).
• Verb tense & agreement: helps (singular subject choice), correct. look is present subjunctive-like base after helps — acceptable in simple style.
• Structure: Clear, active voice.

This article will show simple rules and clear examples

• This (demonstrative pronoun/determiner) | article (noun) | will show (future tense verb phrase) | simple(adjective) | rules (noun, plural) | and (conjunction) | clear (adjective) | examples (noun, plural).
• Verb tense & agreement: will show is future and matches singular article — correct.
• Structure: Clear.

It will point out common mistakes and give quick tips to remember

• It (pronoun) | will point out (future verb phrase) | common (adjective) | mistakes (noun, plural) | and(conjunction) | give (verb, base after modal will) | quick (adjective) | tips (noun) | to remember(infinitive phrase).
• Verb tense & agreement: will point out and will give (implied) match singular it. Correct.
• Structure: Clear and complete.

Read on to feel sure when to use each form

• Read (imperative verb) | on (adverb/preposition) | to feel (infinitive verb phrase) | sure (adjective) | when(conjunction) | to use (infinitive) | each (determiner/pronoun) | form (noun).
• Verb tense & agreement: Imperative Read addresses the reader — correct form. Infinitives are fine.
• Structure: Clear; no issues.

All seven introduction sentences are complete sentences. Verbs are in correct tenses and agree with their subjects. Articles (the, an, this, your) are used correctly. Prepositions (about, for, without, on) are precise in context. There are no run-on sentences or fragments in the introduction.

What does that’s mean?

That’s is a contraction. It stands for two common full forms:

• That is — used to describe, define, or point out. Example: That’s a good idea. → That is a good idea.
• That has — used before a past participle to form a perfect tense. Example: That’s changed since last year. → That has changed since last year.

Parts of speech in the example sentences:

• That’s a good idea.
  • That’s: pronoun + verb (contraction) | a: article | good: adjective | idea: noun.
  • Verb check: is present, matches singular That — correct.
• That’s changed since last year.
  • That’s: pronoun + auxiliary verb (has) | changed: past participle (verb) | since: preposition | last: adjective | year: noun.
  • Verb check: has changed is present perfect and correct.

Important: Use the apostrophe. Without it, meaning is unclear and grammar is often wrong.

What about thats (no apostrophe)?

Thats without an apostrophe is almost always incorrect in standard English. It may appear by mistake in casual texts, or in names, tags, or when people type quickly. In rare cases, “thats” could be a plural of the word “that” in a playful or stylized sentence (not recommended). Example of nonstandard use: There are too many thats in this note. — better: There are too many “that”s in this note. or rewrite the sentence.

Parts of speech note:

• In the nonstandard sentence There are too many thats in this note.
  • There (existential pronoun) | are (verb, present plural) | too (adverb) | many (determiner/adjective) | thats(noun form of the word that in this usage) | in (preposition) | this (determiner) | note (noun).
  • Verb check: are matches plural thats — if you insist on using thats as plural noun, agreement is correct. But this construction is awkward. Better to reword.

Rule of thumb: when you mean that is or that has, write that’s with an apostrophe.

Key points (simple checklist)

• Use that’s when you mean that is or that has.
• Do not use thats in formal writing.
• If you mean a plural of the word that, avoid thats — rephrase to be clear.
• In contractions, the apostrophe shows missing letters (is/has).
• Always check the full phrase behind the contraction: that is / that has.

Parts of speech attention: Contractions combine pronouns and verbs. Always ensure the verb form behind the contraction agrees with the subject.

Contextual examples and analysis

Below are many example sentences using that’s and cases where writers slip into thats. For each, I list parts of speech and check verbs and structure. This helps you see the pattern in real use.

1. That’s my book on the table.
   • That’s (that + is) | my (possessive determiner) | book (noun) | on (preposition) | the (article) | table (noun).
   • Verb: is present — subject That singular. Correct.
2. That’s been a long day.
   • That’s (that + has) | been (past participle) | a (article) | long (adjective) | day (noun).
   • Verb: has been — present perfect, correct.
3. They said thats what they wanted. → Incorrect. Correct: They said that’s what they wanted.
   • Error explanation: In the wrong sentence, thats appears where a contraction is needed (that is). The corrected sentence uses that’s (that + is).
   • Parts of speech (corrected): They (pronoun) | said (verb, past) | that’s (that + is, contraction) | what(pronoun) | they (pronoun) | wanted (verb, past).
   • Verb check: said and wanted are both simple past and agree with subject they.
4. If that’s true, we will change the plan.
   • If (conjunction) | that’s (that + is) | true (adjective) | we (pronoun) | will change (future verb) | the (article) | plan (noun).
   • Verbs: is present; will change future — both correctly used.
5. There are three thats in the sentence. — awkward. Better: There are three instances of “that” in the sentence.
   • If you write the awkward sentence, parts: There (existential) | are (verb) | three (numeral) | thats (noun) | in (preposition) | the (article) | sentence (noun).
   • Verb: are agrees with plural thats — grammatically OK but stylistically poor.

Notes on structure: Use commas and clauses to avoid run-ons. Keep sentences short in simple writing.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Leaving out the apostrophe

• Wrong: Thats not right.
• Fix: That’s not right.
• Why: You need the apostrophe for the contraction of that is.

Using thats as a plural

• Wrong: There are too many thats in his text.
• Fix: There are too many instances of “that” in his text. or He used “that” too often.
• Why: Writing thats looks wrong to readers. Rephrase.

Confusing that’s vs its vs it’s

• That’s = that + is / that + has.
• Its = possessive of it (no apostrophe). Example: The cat licked its paw.
• It’s = it + is / it + has (apostrophe). Example: It’s raining.
• Tip: To test it’s vs its, expand the contraction: it is or it has. If expansion fits, use it’s. For that’s, expand to that is/that has.

Wrong verb tense after contraction

• Wrong: That’s went away. (incorrect because went needs auxiliary has to form present perfect)
• Fix: That’s gone away. (= That has gone away.)
• Explanation: When you mean the perfect tense, ensure the past participle follows has (e.g., has gone, has changed).

Parts of speech and verb checks help catch these errors.

American vs British English: any difference?

There is no difference in the use of that’s vs thats between American and British English. Both varieties:

• Use that’s as a contraction for that is and that has.
• Avoid thats without an apostrophe in formal writing.

Where style guides differ is in overall contraction use: formal British or American style guides may recommend fewer contractions in formal writing. But the apostrophe rule for that’s is the same.

Example (both dialects): That’s the book I mentioned. is correct in both American and British English.

Idiomatic expressions with that is / that’s

Some idioms or set phrases use the idea of that is. In speech, they appear as that’s:

• That’s that. — firm end to a topic.
  • Parts: That’s (that + is) | that (pronoun).
  • Note: Short, emphatic. Correct usage: That’s that — we’re done.
• That’s no excuse.
  • That’s (that + is) | no (adjective) | excuse (noun).
• That’s where the problem lies.
  • That’s (that + is) | where (relative adverb) | the (article) | problem (noun) | lies (verb, present).

Idioms often keep the contraction, especially in speech and informal writing.

Practical tips to avoid errors

1. Ask the expansion test — Replace that’s with that is or that has. If the sentence still sounds right, use that’s.
   • Example: That’s been hard. → That has been hard. ✔
2. Watch for typos — If you type quickly, your keyboard may drop the apostrophe. Slow down the last step: type the apostrophe.
3. Use find-and-replace in long texts — Search for thats (space before and after) and review each one. Change to that’s when appropriate.
4. Read aloud — Hearing the sentence helps you catch missing apostrophes and tense issues.
5. Prefer rephrasing for plurals — Instead of thats as plural, write “instances of ‘that'”.
6. Learn the difference with its/it’s — Keep that rule separate in your mind: its vs it’s and that’s vs thats.

Rewrite / Edit: improved clarity, grammar, and style

Below is a revised and polished version of the key guidance from above. It keeps a simple tone and clear grammar while tightening phrasing and improving flow. It also maintains short sentences suitable for a first–second grade reading level.

Rewritten guidance (polished, simple)

That’s a small word. That’s used for that is or that has. Do not write thats in formal writing. The apostrophe shows missing letters. Use that’s for contractions. When you mean the plural of the word that, rephrase. For example: There are three instances of “that” in the sentence. Read your text out loud to catch mistakes. Use search tools to find thatsand fix each case. Keep sentences short. Keep verbs in the right tense. Check that subjects and verbs match. That is how you stay clear.

Polish notes (parts of speech & grammar checks in the rewrite)

• Sentence 1: That’s a small word. — That’s (that + is; pronoun + verb), a (article), small (adjective), word(noun). Verb is present, correct.
• Sentence 2: That’s used for “that is” or “that has”. — used (past participle) with auxiliary is implied via contraction; clear.
• Sentence 3: Do not write thats in formal writing. — Imperative Do not write is correct. thats is shown as wrong form.
• Sentence 4: The apostrophe shows missing letters. — Clear subject-verb agreement.
• Sentence 5: Use that’s for contractions. — Imperative and clear.
• Sentence 6: When you mean the plural of the word that, rephrase. — When (conjunction), you (pronoun), mean(verb), the (article), plural (noun), of (preposition), the (article), word (noun), that (noun), rephrase(verb). Correct.

This rewrite reduces redundancy, tightens wording, and keeps the language very simple.

Longer practice examples (annotated)

Here are more sentences. I mark parts of speech and flag any tense or agreement issues.

A. That’s the dog that barked last night.

• That’s (that + is) | the (article) | dog (noun) | that (relative pronoun) | barked (verb, past) | last (adjective) | night (noun).
• Verbs: is present; barked past — timeline is fine (present statement about past event).

B. That’s been fixed by the team. (passive voice)

• That’s (that + has) | been (past participle) | fixed (past participle) | by (preposition) | the (article) | team (noun).
• Verb: has been fixed is present perfect passive — grammatical and correct. Passive voice used to focus on result.

C. Thats wrong; fix it. — incorrect punctuation and form. Better: That’s wrong. Fix it.

• In the wrong example, Thats lacks apostrophe and the semicolon could be replaced with a period for clarity. After correction: That’s wrong. — That’s (that + is), wrong (adjective).

D. She said, “That’s the plan,” and we all nodded.

• She (pronoun) | said (verb, past) | That’s (that + is in quotation) | the (article) | plan (noun) | and (conjunction) | we (pronoun) | all (adverb/adjective) | nodded (verb, past).
• Tense: said and nodded match past narrative. Contraction in quote is fine.

E. If that’s what you want, do it now.

• If (conjunction) | that’s (that + is) | what (pronoun) | you (pronoun) | want (verb) | do (verb, imperative) | it(pronoun) | now (adverb).
• Structure: conditional + imperative — correct and clear.

These practice examples mix active and passive voice, vary sentence length, and show correct verb tenses.

Conclusion

Key takeaways

• Use that’s with an apostrophe when you mean that is or that has.
• Avoid thats without an apostrophe in standard writing. Rephrase if you mean the plural of the word that.
• Check verbs for tense and subject-verb agreement.
• Read sentences aloud and use simple tests (expand the contraction) to check correctness.
• Keep sentences short and clear, and use active voice when it helps clarity.

Following these rules will make your writing clearer and more professional. A small apostrophe makes a big difference.

FAQs

1. Q: Is “thats” ever correct? A: Rarely. In standard writing, use that’s for that is/that has. Use thats only in special names or quoted slang, but avoid it.
2. Q: Is “that’s” the same as “its” or “it’s”? A: No. That’s = that is/has. It’s = it is/has. Its = possessive form of it(no apostrophe).
3. Q: Can “that’s” mean “that has”? A: Yes. That’s can contract that has, especially before a past participle (e.g., That’s gone = That has gone).
4. Q: Is it wrong to write “thats” in an email? A: It looks like a typo. Use that’s in casual emails. In formal emails, consider writing that is instead.
5. Q: How do I test which form to use? A: Expand the contraction: replace that’s with that is or that has. If the sentence still reads right, use that’s.
6. Q: What if I want to pluralize the word “that”? A: Avoid thats. Write instances of “that” or the word “that” appears three times.
7. Q: Do British and American English differ here? A: No. Both prefer that’s for contraction and avoid thats.
8. Q: Is “that’s” acceptable in academic writing? A: Use sparingly. Many academic styles prefer full forms (that is/that has). When in doubt, write full words.
9. Q: Why do people type “thats” by mistake? A: Often a fast typist omits the apostrophe. Proofreading catches this.