Quiz: That vs That’s
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Many writers mix up that vs that’s because the two look almost identical and sound alike in fast speech. One tiny apostrophe changes the job of the word completely. This guide shows how each one works, with examples you can copy.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| that | Points to a specific thing, or introduces a clause | Pronoun, determiner, conjunction | I know that you tried. |
| that’s | That is | Contraction (pronoun + verb) | That’s a great idea. |
| that’s | That has | Contraction (pronoun + auxiliary verb) | That’s been a long week. |
What does “that” mean?
“That” is a flexible word that does several jobs, and none of them involve the verb “is” or “has.” It is one of the most common words in English, so it helps to know its main uses.
As a pronoun or determiner, it points to something specific: “That is my coat” or “I love that movie.” As a relative pronoun, it connects a description to a noun: “The book that I borrowed was great.” As a conjunction, it introduces a statement: “She said that she would call.”
In every one of these cases, “that” works as a single word. It never hides a verb inside it.
What does “that’s” mean?
“That’s” is a contraction, which means it squeezes two words into one. The apostrophe marks the missing letters.
Most of the time, “that’s” stands for “that is.” For example, “That’s the right answer” means “That is the right answer.” It also appears in common phrases like “that’s why,” “that’s all,” and “that’s it.”
Less often, “that’s” stands for “that has.” This happens when a past participle follows, such as “That’s been fixed” or “That’s gone too far.” Context tells you which meaning applies, because “that is been” would never make sense.
Is “thats” a real word?
No, “thats” without an apostrophe is not a standard English word. It is usually a typing shortcut or a mistake, and spell checkers will flag it.
The only time you might see “thats” legitimately is in a deliberate informal style, such as a text message or a stylized brand name. In ordinary writing, always add the apostrophe and write “that’s.”
That vs That’s: How Can You Remember Which to Use?
Use the swap test: replace the word with “that is” or “that has.” If the sentence still makes sense, “that’s” is correct. If it becomes nonsense, you need plain “that.”
Try it on “The car that’s parked outside is mine.” Swapping gives “The car that is parked outside is mine,” which works, so “that’s” is fine. Now try “I think that you are right.” Swapping gives “I think that is you are right,” which fails, so use “that.”
Also remember that the apostrophe in “that’s” never shows ownership. It only shows a missing letter.
What are common mistakes with that vs that’s?
- ✗ Thats my favorite song.
✓ That’s my favorite song. - ✗ I told her that’s she was right.
✓ I told her that she was right. - ✗ The idea that’s mine is better. (when you mean “the idea that I have”)
✓ The idea that I have is better. - ✗ That’s’ a good point.
✓ That’s a good point. - ✗ Is that’s your bag?
✓ Is that your bag?
What are some memory tricks?
- The swap test: if “that is” or “that has” fits, write “that’s.”
- The missing letters rule: the apostrophe replaces “i” in “is” or “ha” in “has.” No missing letters means no apostrophe.
- The read-aloud trick: say the full words out loud. If “that is” sounds natural, the contraction is safe.
Frequently asked questions
Is it “that’s” or “thats”?
“That’s” is correct. “Thats” without an apostrophe is a spelling mistake in standard English.
Can “that’s” mean “that has”?
Yes. It works as a contraction of “that has” when followed by a past participle, as in “That’s been fixed.”
Is “that’s” possessive?
No. The apostrophe shows a missing letter, not ownership. To show possession, use “its” or “of that.”
When do I use “that” instead of “that’s”?
Use “that” to point to something or join clauses, as in “I know that you tried.” If you can replace it with “that is” or “that has” and it still makes sense, use “that’s.”
Is “that’s” too casual for formal writing?
It suits most everyday writing, emails and blog posts. In very formal writing, such as legal or academic papers, “that is” is often preferred.
Conclusion
The difference in that vs that’s comes down to one question: could you say “that is” or “that has” instead? If yes, use “that’s.” If no, use “that.” Share this with someone who mixes these up, then scroll back up and retake the quiz below to see how much stuck.