Let’s talk about contractions in English—those handy little shortcuts that make spoken and written language flow smoother. We use them all the time: *can’t* for *cannot*, *won’t* for *will not*, and *it’s* for *it is*. But not all contractions are created equal. Some, like *this’s* (a supposed contraction of *this is*), don’t make the cut in standard English. Why? Well, grab a seat, because we’re about to dissect this linguistic oddity like a bubble waiting to burst.

**The Contraction Conundrum: Why *This’s* Doesn’t Exist**

First, let’s lay down the rules. Contractions work by replacing missing letters with an apostrophe—think *don’t* (do + not) or *that’s* (that + is). But *this’s*? Nope. Standard English rejects it outright. The reason? Grammar police would argue that the apostrophe here muddles meaning. While *that’s* and *it’s* neatly contract *that is* and *it is*, *this’s* trips over itself. The apostrophe in *this’s* could imply possession (*this’s book*—wait, whose book?), which isn’t the intent. So, to avoid confusion, *this is* stays intact.
And let’s be real—phonetically, *this is* is already efficient. The words glide together naturally (*thisiz*), unlike *that is*, where the *-at* and *is* clash, making *that’s* a smoother alternative. *This is* doesn’t need a shortcut because it’s already cruising in the fast lane.

**Dialects, Misinterpretations, and the Slippery Slope of *This’s***

Now, you might hear *this’s* in casual speech or regional dialects. But here’s the kicker: even if someone drops it in conversation, writing it down invites trouble. Why? Because *this’s* could also be misread as *this has*—like *This’s been wild* (*This has been wild*). Suddenly, clarity pops like a overinflated balloon.
And let’s not forget the bigger picture: consistency. English already has enough exceptions (*I before E except after C*—unless it’s *weird* or *seize*). Adding *this’s* to the mix would be like throwing a lit match into a room full of fireworks. Sure, it might spark briefly, but the fallout? Chaos.

**The Bottom Line: Stick with *This Is***

So, what’s the verdict? *This is* reigns supreme—clean, unambiguous, and universally accepted. Contractions are great, but they’re not a free-for-all. Grammar rules exist for a reason: to keep communication crisp, clear, and bubble-free.
Next time you’re tempted to write *this’s*, remember: some shortcuts lead to dead ends. And in the world of language, clarity always wins. *Boom.* Now go forth and contract responsibly.