tis (this)

Writers often mix up 'tis (contraction of it is) and this (a demonstrative). The result: an archaic-sounding contraction where a pointer was meant, or a demonstrative left without a verb (This surprising → This is surprising).

Quick answer

'Tis = it is (contraction, archaic/poetic). This = demonstrative pronoun/determiner that points to something (this thing, this idea).

'Tis (leading apostrophe) contracts it + is. Reserve it for deliberate archaism or poetry.
This points to a person, object, idea, time, or clause. If it stands alone, it usually needs a verb (this is, this was).
In professional or academic writing, prefer it's/it is or this/this is; avoid 'tis.

Core explanation: meaning and grammatical role

'Tis expands to "it is." It behaves like a verb phrase and replaces it is or it's in contexts where that sense is intended.

This is a demonstrative pronoun or determiner. It either modifies a noun (this book) or introduces a clause with a copula (this is surprising).

'Tis = it is (verb phrase). Use where you mean a state or description.
This = pointer (determiner/pronoun). Use before a noun or with a copula: this + noun OR this is + clause.
Compare: 'Tis a pity (It is a pity) vs This is a pity (points at something specific).

Spacing and apostrophe: common typed mistakes

The correct contraction is 'tis with a leading apostrophe because the i in it is omitted. Common typos: Tis (missing apostrophe), ' Tis (extra space), or trying to add an apostrophe to this (thi's or this').

Correct: 'tis (or 'Tis at sentence start).
Incorrect: Tis, ' Tis, thi's, this'.
No extra space: do not write ' tis or ' tis.

Typo example: Wrong: Tis the season. →
Right: 'Tis the season. (or modern: It's the season.)
Wrong apostrophe: Wrong: thi's idea. →
Right: this idea.

Hyphenation, origin, and tone

'Tis comes from older contractions like 'twas. It signals an archaic, poetic, or dialectal tone. There is no hyphenation involved.

Use 'tis deliberately: poetry, historical dialogue, or playful archaisms.
For a neutral modern tone, use it's, it is, this, or that.
Tone example: Poetic: 'Tis the season for joy. → Neutral: It is the season for joy.

Grammar and punctuation: placement and capitalization

Capitalize 'Tis only at the start of a sentence. Inside a sentence, write 'tis. When this stands alone, check that a copula follows: this is, this was, this means.

'Tis behaves like any contracted verb: 'Tis a gift. (capitalized if sentence-initial)
Missing copula: Wrong: This surprising. →
Right: This is surprising.
If you meant "it is" but used this, swap in it's or it is.

Real usage: examples for work, school, and casual writing

Choose the register that fits your audience: professional writing favors clarity; academic writing favors formality; casual writing allows playful archaisms.

Professional: avoid 'tis. Prefer this / this is / it's / it is.
Academic: use this/this is for clarity and formality.
Casual: 'tis works in creative or tongue-in-cheek contexts.

Work:
Wrong: Please review 'tis document by Friday. →
Right: Please review this document by Friday.
Work:
Wrong: 'Tis report needs approval. →
Right: This report needs approval. / The report needs approval.
Work (usage): If you mean "it is urgent," write "It's urgent." Avoid 'Tis urgent in business email.
School:
Wrong: 'Tis hypothesis is unsupported. →
Right: This hypothesis is unsupported.
School:
Wrong: This show the trend. →
Right: This shows the trend. / These data show the trend.
School (usage): For formal tone write "This indicates..." rather than "'Tis indicates...".
Casual:
Wrong: Please pass 'tis phone. →
Right: Please pass this phone. / Pass me your phone, please.
Casual (playful): 'Tis a glorious night! (acceptable in creative chat) → Casual neutral: This is a great night!
Casual:
Wrong: This so funny. →
Right: This is so funny. / That's so funny.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Swap the word with "it is" and with "this"; the swap that reads naturally reveals the intended meaning.

Examples: quick wrong/right pairs (copyable)

Scan for a leading apostrophe or for demonstratives without verbs. Replace wrong forms with the right versions below.

Wrong: 'Tis instructions are unclear. →
Right: These instructions are unclear.
Wrong: Please hand me 'tis notebook. →
Right: Please hand me this notebook.
Wrong: Tis a shame you missed it. →
Right: It's a shame you missed it. / It is a shame you missed it.
Wrong: 'Tis book belonged to her. →
Right: This book belonged to her.
Wrong: She said 'tis wrong answer. →
Right: She said this is the wrong answer. / She said that was the wrong answer.
Wrong: This a lovely day. →
Right: This is a lovely day.
Wrong: 'Tis report was submitted late. →
Right: The report was submitted late. / This report was submitted late.
Wrong: Please check 'tis entry. →
Right: Please check this entry.

How to rewrite and fix your sentence (quick checklist + examples)

Checklist:

Locate the word: this or 'tis.
Ask: do I mean "it is" (state) or am I pointing at something (pointer)?
If "it is," replace with it's/it is (or 'tis only for deliberate archaism).
If pointing, ensure a noun or a verb follows (this + noun OR this is + adjective/clause).
Fix apostrophe placement and capitalization.

Swap test: Replace the word with "it is" and with "this"; the replacement that makes grammatical sense shows the intended meaning.
Tone check: If writing formally, never choose 'tis.

Wrong: 'Tis instructions were missing citations. →
Rewrite: These instructions were missing citations.
Wrong: This needs fixed. →
Rewrite: This needs to be fixed. / This needs fixing.
Wrong: 'Tis urgent - respond now. →
Rewrite: It's urgent - please respond now. / This is urgent - please respond now.

Memory tricks and quick checks

Two fast checks will catch most errors.

Expand Test: replace the word with "it is." If that reads naturally, your meaning was "it is" (use it's/it is; only use 'tis for style).
Copula Check: after this, look for a verb. If none exists, add one (this is / this was).
Apostrophe alarm: if the word starts with an apostrophe, triple-check tone-most modern writing won't need it.

Practical swap-test: "'Tis urgent" → "It is urgent" (both grammatical); but in business use "It's urgent" instead of 'Tis.

Similar mistakes to watch for

The same expand-and-check approach catches other common confusions with contractions and demonstratives.

it's vs its - contraction vs possessive (It's = it is; its = possessive).
this vs these - singular vs plural (This idea vs These ideas).
Dropping the copula after demonstratives (This surprising → This is surprising).
Incorrect apostrophes at the start of words (Tis → 'Tis).

Examples: It's raining (it is) vs The company changed its policy (possessive).
Examples: This study is flawed; These studies are flawed.
Examples: Wrong: This confusing. →
Right: This is confusing.

FAQ

Is 'tis ever correct in modern writing?

'Tis is correct when you intentionally want an archaic or poetic tone: poetry, historical dialogue, or tongue-in-cheek chat. For professional, academic, or news writing use it's, it is, this, or that.

Can I write Tis without an apostrophe?

No. Standard modern English requires the leading apostrophe: 'tis. Writing Tis is a typographical error unless used as a historical spelling in creative work.

How can I quickly decide between this and 'tis?

Ask: do I mean "it is" (a state) or am I pointing at something (a demonstrative)? If the former, use it's/it is; if the latter, use this and ensure a copula or noun follows.

What is a fast proofreading trick to catch missing verbs after this?

Read the sentence replacing this with "this is." If that completes the thought, add the copula. Example: "This surprising" → read as "This is surprising" and update the text.

Does capitalization change for 'tis?

Capitalize only if the word starts a sentence: 'Tis the season. Inside a sentence use lower case: she whispered that 'tis true.

Need a quick check?

If you doubt a single sentence, run the swap test (replace with "it is" and with "this") or paste the sentence into a grammar checker. That quickly shows whether the word should be a contraction or a demonstrative and whether a verb is missing.