Are you confused about when to use “thats” and “that’s” in your writing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with this common grammar issue. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and provide some tips on how to use them correctly.
We should clarify which of the two words is the proper one to use. The correct word to use depends on the context of the sentence. “Thats” is the proper word when it is used as a possessive pronoun. For example, “Thats my car.” On the other hand, “that’s” is the proper word when it is used as a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” For example, “That’s a great idea!” or “That’s been a long day.”
Now that we’ve established the proper usage of each word, let’s take a closer look at their definitions. “Thats” is a possessive pronoun that indicates ownership or belonging. It is used to show that something belongs to someone or something. For example, “Thats my book” or “Thats our house.”
“That’s,” on the other hand, is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” It is used to shorten a sentence or to indicate that something has happened in the past. For example, “That’s a great idea!” is a shortened version of “That is a great idea!” and “That’s been a long day” is a shortened version of “That has been a long day.”
Understanding the proper usage of “thats” and “that’s” is important for clear and effective communication. Using these words correctly can help you avoid confusion and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common mistakes to avoid and provide some tips on how to use these words effectively in your writing.
Define Thats
Thats is a contraction of the words “that” and “is” or “that” and “has”. It is used to shorten a sentence and make it more concise. Thats is commonly used in informal writing or speech.
Example: “Thats a great idea!”
Define That’s
That’s is a contraction of the words “that” and “has” or “that” and “is”. It is also used to shorten a sentence and make it more concise. However, that’s is more commonly used in formal writing or speech.
Example: “That’s the best solution to the problem.”
It is important to note that that’s can also be used as a contraction of “that” and “was”.
Example: “That’s what I was thinking.”
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
In English language, the words “thats” and “that’s” are two commonly used contractions that often cause confusion among writers. Understanding the proper use of these words is essential to avoid grammatical errors in writing. In this section, we will discuss how to use “thats” and “that’s” in a sentence.
How To Use “Thats” In A Sentence
The word “thats” is a contraction of the words “that” and “is” or “that” and “has.” It is used to indicate possession or to describe something. Here are some examples of how to use “thats” in a sentence:
- That’s my car parked outside.
- Thats the book I was telling you about.
- Thats been the best vacation I’ve ever had.
As you can see from the examples above, “thats” is used to indicate possession or to describe something.
How To Use “That’s” In A Sentence
The word “that’s” is a contraction of the words “that” and “is” or “that” and “has.” It is used to indicate a shortened form of “that is” or “that has.” Here are some examples of how to use “that’s” in a sentence:
- That’s a great idea!
- That’s what I was trying to tell you.
- That’s been the best vacation I’ve ever had.
As you can see from the examples above, “that’s” is used to indicate a shortened form of “that is” or “that has.”
More Examples Of Thats & That’s Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between “thats” and “that’s”, it is important to see them used in sentences. Below are some examples of each:
Examples Of Using Thats In A Sentence
- She thinks thats the best option.
- Thats a really good idea.
- I’m not sure thats what he meant.
- Thats exactly what I was thinking.
- Thats a great way to approach the problem.
- Thats not what I meant to say.
- Thats a lot of money to spend on a car.
- Thats the best movie I’ve seen all year.
- Thats the last time I’m going to that restaurant.
- Thats a good point, but I still disagree.
Examples Of Using That’s In A Sentence
- That’s a really interesting book.
- I think that’s what he was trying to say.
- That’s the best way to do it.
- That’s not what I meant.
- That’s a great idea!
- That’s the last time I’m going to that store.
- That’s exactly what I was thinking.
- That’s a lot of work to do in one day.
- That’s the best pizza I’ve ever had.
- That’s not fair!
By seeing these examples, it becomes clear that “thats” is simply a contraction of “that is”, while “that’s” can also be a contraction of “that has”.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to writing, it’s easy to make mistakes, especially when it comes to using similar words or phrases interchangeably. One common mistake that people make is using “thats” and “that’s” interchangeably. While they may seem similar, they have different meanings and uses.
Using “Thats” Instead Of “That’s”
One mistake people often make is using “thats” instead of “that’s.” “Thats” is a possessive pronoun that is used to indicate ownership or belonging. For example, “Those are my books, and those are his books.” On the other hand, “that’s” is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” For example, “That’s a great idea,” or “That’s been on my mind lately.”
Using “thats” instead of “that’s” can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, as the meaning of the sentence can change entirely. For example, “Thats a great idea” could be interpreted as “Those are great ideas,” which is a completely different meaning from what was intended.
Using “That’s” Instead Of “Thats”
Another mistake people make is using “that’s” instead of “thats.” While this mistake isn’t as common as the previous one, it can still cause confusion. As mentioned earlier, “that’s” is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” However, “thats” is not a word in the English language, and using it can make your writing look unprofessional.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to keep in mind the differences between “thats” and “that’s.” One way to do this is to always remember that “that’s” is a contraction of “that is” or “that has.” If you’re unsure which one to use, try expanding the contraction and see if it makes sense. For example, “That’s been on my mind lately” can be expanded to “That has been on my mind lately,” which makes sense.
Another tip is to proofread your writing carefully. Take the time to read through your work and check for any instances where you may have used “thats” or “that’s” incorrectly. If you’re still unsure, consider using a grammar checker or asking a friend or colleague to review your work.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between “thats” and “that’s”, context is key. The two may seem interchangeable, but their usage can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “thats” and “that’s” might change:
| Context | Example | Correct Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Contractions | That’s a great idea. | Use “that’s” as a contraction for “that is”. |
| Possessive Pronouns | That’s mine. | Use “that’s” as a contraction for “that is”. |
| Demonstrative Pronouns | That’s the book I was talking about. | Use “that’s” as a contraction for “that is”. |
| Plural Nouns | Thats are not allowed in the classroom. | Use “thats” as a contraction for “that has” or “that was”. |
| Informal Writing | Thats what I’m talking about! | Use “thats” as a contraction for “that is” in informal writing. |
As you can see from these examples, the choice between “thats” and “that’s” can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It’s important to understand the nuances of each usage to ensure that your writing is clear and concise.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “thats” and “that’s” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some explanations and examples of each case:
1. Plural Nouns
When “that” is used to refer to plural nouns, the contraction “that’s” is not appropriate. Instead, “that” should be used on its own.
Example:
- Correct: That birds are singing in the trees.
- Incorrect: That’s birds are singing in the trees.
2. Possessive Nouns
When “that” is used to refer to possessive nouns, the contraction “that’s” is not appropriate. Instead, “that” should be used on its own.
Example:
- Correct: That car’s engine is loud.
- Incorrect: That’s car’s engine is loud.
3. Informal Writing
In informal writing, such as text messages or social media posts, the rules for using “thats” and “that’s” are often relaxed. In these cases, it is acceptable to use the contraction “that’s” in place of “that is” or “that has”.
Example:
- Correct (informal): That’s a great idea!
- Correct (formal): That is a great idea!
It is important to note, however, that using contractions in formal writing is generally discouraged.
Practice Exercises
One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of thats and that’s is to practice using them in sentences. Here are some exercises to help you do just that:
Exercise 1
Fill in the blank with either thats or that’s to complete the sentence correctly:
- ______ a great idea!
- ______ the best movie I’ve seen all year.
- I think ______ the one I want to buy.
- ______ not what I meant.
- ______ the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.
Answer Key:
- That’s
- That’s
- That’s
- That’s
- That’s
Exercise 2
Choose the correct form of that to complete the sentence:
| Sentence | Correct Form of That |
|---|---|
| ______ book is mine. | That |
| ______ is the one I want to buy. | That |
| ______ not what I meant. | That’s |
| ______ the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. | That’s |
Explanation: In the first two sentences, we use the singular form of that to refer to a specific object. In the third and fourth sentences, we use the contraction that’s to mean “that is.”
Conclusion
After exploring the nuances of “that’s” versus “thats”, it is clear that these two terms are not interchangeable. “That’s” is a contraction of “that is” or “that has”, while “thats” is an incorrect spelling of “that’s” or the plural form of “that”.
It is important to pay attention to the context in which these terms are used, as well as the grammatical rules that govern their usage. Failure to do so can result in confusion and miscommunication.
Key Takeaways:
- “That’s” is a contraction of “that is” or “that has”.
- “Thats” is an incorrect spelling of “that’s” or the plural form of “that”.
- Context and grammatical rules should be considered when using these terms.
As with any aspect of language and grammar, it is important to continue learning and improving. By expanding your knowledge of grammar and language use, you can enhance your communication skills and avoid common mistakes.
So, keep learning and exploring the intricacies of language, and don’t be afraid to seek out resources and guidance when needed.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.