One small apostrophe. That’s all that separates a typo from correct grammar.
| Form | Explanation |
|---|---|
| thats | not a real word |
| that’s | a contraction of that is or that has |
| You’ve probably typed thats without thinking — and autocorrect flagged it. Good catch, because thats is not a real word. The correct form is always that’s. | |
Whether you’re writing an email, a caption, or an essay — knowing the difference between thats and that’s keeps your writing clean and credible.
“thats” is incorrect. The only proper spelling is “that’s” with an apostrophe.
This simple punctuation mark makes all the difference between a grammar mistake and correct English writing.
What Do Thats and That’s Actually Mean?
What Does That’s Mean – The Contraction Explained
That’s is a contraction — two words joined with an apostrophe. It stands for that is or that has. Example: That’s a great point means That is a great point.
Contractions are standard in English. The apostrophe in that’s is not optional — it’s what makes the word grammatically valid and complete.
What Is the Meaning of Thats – Is It Even a Word?
Thats has no meaning in the English language. It is not listed in Merriam-Webster, Oxford, or Cambridge dictionaries. It’s simply a misspelling of that’s — a typo that grammar checkers catch immediately.
Think of it this way: removing the apostrophe from that’s is like removing a key letter from any word. The shape is there, but the meaning is gone.
Thats vs That’s – The Core Difference You Need to Know
Quick Reference Table:
| Feature | Thats | That’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Not a word | Contraction |
| Apostrophe | No | Yes |
| Meaning | None | That is / That has |
| Correct? | No | Yes |
| Example | Thats great (WRONG) | That’s great (RIGHT) |
Why the Apostrophe Changes Everything
In English, an apostrophe in a contraction signals that letters have been removed. In that’s, the apostrophe replaces the “i” from “is” or “ha” from “has.” According to the Chicago Manual of Style, apostrophes in contractions are required — not stylistic.
Skipping the apostrophe is a grammar error, not a personal style choice. That’s and thats are not interchangeable. One is correct. One is not.
Common Reasons People Write Thats by Mistake
Most people write thats by accident. Here’s why it happens so often:
- Typing too fast on a phone or keyboard
- Autocorrect missing the error in casual apps
- Non-native English speakers unfamiliar with contraction rules
- Copying from informal or unedited online sources
When to Use That’s in a Sentence (With Real Examples)
That’s as That Is – Everyday Usage
The most common use of that’s replaces that is. You’ll hear and read it constantly:
- That’s exactly what I meant. (= That is exactly what I meant.)
- That’s the best idea I’ve heard. (= That is the best idea.)
- That’s not how it works. (= That is not how it works.)
That’s as That Has – Usage in Perfect Tenses
Less commonly, that’s can replace that has — usually before a past participle:
- That’s been the plan all along. (= That has been the plan.)
- That’s never happened before. (= That has never happened before.)
Do You Say That’s Me or That’s Him?
Both that’s me and that’s him are correct — they refer to different people. That’s me identifies yourself. That’s him identifies someone else.
Formally, older grammar books preferred that is I, but modern usage has settled on that’s me as the natural, accepted form.
How Do You Spell That’s Correct? (And Why It Matters)
The Right Way to Write It Every Time
The correct spelling is always that’s correct — with an apostrophe. Writing thats correct is a grammatical error. In professional writing, this kind of mistake reduces credibility instantly.
A 2013 study by Global Lingo found that 59% of consumers said they would not trust a business with obvious grammar mistakes on its website. Spelling that’s correctly is a small detail that makes a big impression.
Quick Trick to Never Mix Them Up Again
Here’s the simplest rule: expand the contraction before you write it. Ask yourself — can I replace that’s with that is or that has? If yes, use that’s. If not, rethink the sentence.
That is a good idea ✅ → That’s a good idea ✅
Thats a good idea ❌ → Makes no grammatical sense at all.
Is It Correct to Say That’s Me?
Yes — that’s me is completely correct in modern English. While older prescriptive grammar favored that is I (subject pronoun after a linking verb), that phrasing sounds stiff and unnatural today.
Major usage guides, including Garner’s Modern English Usage, confirm that that’s me is standard and fully accepted. Language evolves, and this is one case where natural speech won the debate.
FAQs – Thats or That’s? Your Questions Answered
What is the difference between thats and that’s?
That’s is a valid contraction of that is or that has with an apostrophe. Thats is a misspelling — it has no recognized meaning in standard English.
Why do people say albeit?
People use albeit to mean although or even though in formal writing. Example: It was a success, albeit a small one. It’s unrelated to that’s but commonly searched alongside grammar topics.
How do you spell that’s correct?
The correct spelling is that’s correct — always with an apostrophe. Writing thats correct is a grammar error and should be avoided in any written context.
When to use that’s in a sentence?
Use that’s whenever you mean that is or that has. It’s suitable for casual conversation and semi-formal writing where contractions are appropriate.
Do you say that’s me or that’s him?
Both are correct in context. Use that’s me to identify yourself and that’s him for someone else. In British English, that’s he is sometimes used formally, but that’s him is the standard everyday form.
What is the meaning of the word thats?
Thats has no meaning — it is not a real English word. It is a frequent typo for that’s. No major dictionary — including Merriam-Webster or Oxford — lists it as a valid entry.
Is it correct to say that’s me?
Yes, that’s me is correct and widely accepted. While formal grammar once preferred that is I, modern usage guides confirm that that’s me is completely standard today.
Final Verdict – Thats or That’s?
The answer is clear: always use that’s. It is the only grammatically correct form. Thats — without the apostrophe — is a misspelling with no place in proper English writing, formal or casual.
Small details matter in writing. One apostrophe separates sloppy from sharp. Don’t skip it.
The One-Line Rule to Remember Forever
If you can replace it with that is or that has — write that’s. Every single time. No exceptions.
Olivia Smith is the author and admin of GrammarAct, an informational grammar website. She writes clear guides, simple explanations, and helpful lessons to make grammar easy for everyone.