Ever type something out, stare at it for a second, and think, wait, is that even a word? That happened to me last week with “it’s called.” I’d written it a dozen times before doubt crept in. Turns out I wasn’t wrong, but I get why so many people second guess this one.
When you see It’s Called vs It Called, the difference can look tiny at first, but there’s a simple reason one works and the other doesn’t. Once you understand the grammar behind it, you’ll know exactly which one to use. Let’s Dive in!
Quick Answer: It’s Called vs It Called
Correct: It’s called
❌ Incorrect: It called (when you mean “it is called”)
“It’s called” is the correct phrase when naming something. “It’s” means “it is,” so “it’s called” means “it is called” or “it is named.”
“It called” is used for a past action, such as “It called for backup” or “The bird called at dawn.”
What Does “It’s Called” Actually Mean
“It’s called” introduces the name or label of something. Anytime you’re explaining what a thing goes by, this is the phrase you want.
For example: “It’s called a thermostat.” Simple enough. The sentence tells you the name and nothing more.
You’ll hear this phrase constantly in tutorials, product listings, recipe blogs, and even museum placards. Anywhere something needs a label attached to it, “it’s called” does the job cleanly.
It also works well for slang, brand names, and regional terms that a reader might not recognize right away.
Why “It Called” Sounds Wrong (Because It Usually Is)
“It called” isn’t broken grammar by itself. The issue is context. Without the apostrophe, “it called” becomes the simple past tense of the verb “to call.”
That means “it called” only makes sense when something actually made a call, a sound, or an action in the past. A siren called. A coyote called. Your phone called.
If you’re trying to name or define something, “it called” leaves the sentence dangling with no real meaning attached.
Where “It’s Called” Comes From
The contraction “it’s” has existed in English for centuries, merging “it” and “is” into a single smoother word for everyday speech. English speakers naturally compress phrases like this over time, and “it’s” became one of the most common contractions in the language.
“Called” traces back to the verb “call,” which has carried the meaning “to name” since Old English. Put the two together, and “it’s called” became the standard way to introduce what something is known as, both in speech and writing.
Curious about similar mix ups? Check out our breakdown of “themself vs themselves.”
The Grammar Breakdown
Here’s the mechanical difference laid out clearly:
- It’s = contraction of “it is”
- Its = possessive pronoun, no apostrophe needed
- Called = past tense or past participle of “call”
- It’s called = present tense phrase used for naming
- It called = simple past tense, used for a completed action
The confusion almost always starts with speech. “It’s called” and “it called” sound nearly identical when spoken at a normal pace, which is exactly why the written mistake happens so often.
How to Use “It’s Called” in Professional Writing
In formal writing, “it’s called” works well for defining terms, naming tools, or introducing a process to a reader unfamiliar with it.
Example: “This method reduces errors significantly. It’s called the two pass approach.”
It reads clean and confident. Keep the surrounding sentences in present tense so the whole passage stays consistent and easy to follow.
How to Use “It’s Called” in Casual Conversation
Casually, “it’s called” comes up constantly when explaining slang, food, gadgets, or local terms someone hasn’t heard of yet.
Example: “You’ve never tried it? It’s called a Cronut, basically a croissant donut hybrid.”
This is where the phrase feels most at home. Everyday English leans heavily on contractions, and “it’s called” slides right into casual conversation without effort.
More Confusing Words Made Simple: In-Person or In Person
Comparison Table: It’s Called vs It Called
| Phrase | Correct Usage | Example |
| It’s called | Naming or defining something | “It’s called a stapler.” |
| It called | Past tense action of calling | “The dog barked because it called for attention.” |
| Its called | Never correct | Avoid entirely, “its” needs a noun after it |
| It’s calling | Present continuous action | “It’s calling from the kitchen.” |
Common Mistakes People Make
Most errors trace back to three specific habits.
- Dropping the apostrophe entirely and writing “its called”
- Using “it called” when trying to name something
- Confusing “it’s” with the possessive “its” in unrelated sentences
Each mistake has an easy fix once the rule clicks. The apostrophe is doing all the heavy lifting here.
A Real Life Example of the Mix Up
Sarah was writing a product description for her online shop. She typed, “This bracelet, its called the Sunset Collection,” and hit publish without a second look.
A customer commented asking if it was a typo. Sarah cringed, fixed it to “it’s called,” and made a mental note to proofread apostrophes before publishing anything again.
It’s a tiny mistake, but on a storefront, small errors like that chip away at customer trust faster than most sellers realize.
How Common Is This Mistake
Apostrophe errors involving “it’s” and “its” rank among the most searched grammar questions in English, with broader “its vs it’s” queries pulling thousands of monthly searches.
“It’s called vs it called” is a smaller branch of that same confusion, but it shows up consistently in search data because the spoken form gives zero clues. Only the written word reveals which one is correct.
Writers, students, and even confident native speakers search this because contractions are one of the few grammar rules that sound identical no matter which version you say out loud.
Memory Trick to Never Mix It Up Again
Here’s a fast trick that works every time. If you can replace it with “it is” and the sentence still makes sense, use “it’s.”
“It’s called a wrench” becomes “it is called a wrench.” That checks out.
“It called last night” becomes “it is called last night.” That falls apart, which tells you “it called” is the correct choice in that sentence instead.
Step by Step Guide to Getting It Right Every Time
Follow these steps whenever you’re unsure which phrase fits.
- Ask yourself if you’re naming or defining something
- Expand the phrase mentally to “it is”
- If “it is” makes sense, write “it’s called”
- If you’re describing a past action of calling out, use “it called”
- Proofread once more before publishing, apostrophes are easy to skip past
Mini Quiz: Test Yourself
Try answering these before checking the answers below.
- The device ___ a multimeter. (it’s called / it called)
- Last night the coyote ___ from the ridge. (it’s called / it called)
- ___ a strange coincidence, honestly. (It’s called / It called)
- The app crashed right after ___ the server. (it’s called / it called)
- This dish ___ shakshuka, and it’s delicious. (it’s called / it called)
- She ignored the phone even though ___ twice. (it’s called / it called)
- In botany, this plant ___ a succulent. (it’s called / it called)
- The alarm went off because ___ for help. (it’s called / it called)
Answers: 1. it’s called, 2. it called, 3. It’s called, 4. it called, 5. it’s called, 6. it called, 7. it’s called, 8. it called
FAQ’s
Is “it’s called” grammatically correct?
Yes, “it’s called” is correct when naming or defining something, since “it’s” means “it is” and pairs naturally with “called.”
Is “its called” ever correct?
No, “its called” without an apostrophe is always incorrect here because “its” needs a noun to modify.
When should I use “it called” instead?
Use “it called” only for past tense actions, like a phone, animal, or person that literally called something out.
Why do people confuse “it’s called” and “it called”?
They sound nearly identical in speech, so the confusion comes from writing, not from hearing the phrase out loud.
What’s a quick way to check which phrase to use?
Expand “it’s” to “it is.” If the sentence still makes sense, “it’s called” is correct.
Conclusion: It’s Called vs It Called
When you’re unsure, try replacing “it’s” with “it is.” If the sentence still makes sense, “it’s called” is the phrase you need. This simple trick makes the difference much easier to remember.
- It’s called = it is called or named
- It called = a past action
