Few small phrases cause as much doubt as “it’s called” and “it called.” They look almost the same, yet one needs an apostrophe and a hidden helper verb, while the other is a plain past tense action. One missing mark can change the meaning of a whole sentence, and spell checkers often miss it.
This guide explains each phrase in simple English, shows real examples, and gives you a quick test you can use anywhere. By the end, you will know when to write “it’s called,” when “it called” is right, and why “its called” is almost always a mistake.
It’s Called vs It Called: What’s the Difference?
Use “it’s called” when you are giving a name. Use “it called” only when something made a call or labeled something in the past. The two phrases are not interchangeable.
Quick Comparison
| Phrase | Meaning | Example | Correct? |
| It’s called | It is called, used to give a name | It’s called a spreadsheet. | Yes |
| It called | Past tense, it made a call | It called me twice. | Yes |
| Its called | Wrong use of the possessive | Its called a spreadsheet. | No |
What Does “It’s Called” Mean?
“It’s called” is the short form of “it is called.” It tells the reader what something is named or known as.
“It’s” Means “It Is”
The apostrophe replaces the missing letter in “is.” Read it as two words, and the sentence should still make sense.
“It’s Called” Is Used to Give a Name
It introduces a name after you describe something, as in “It’s called the Silk Road.”
“It’s Called” Can Identify a Term, Object or Place
It works for a term (“It’s called inflation”), an object (“It’s called a spatula”), or a place (“It’s called Lake Como”).
What Does “It Called” Mean?
“It called” puts “called” in the past tense, so “it” is the one doing something.
“It Called” Uses “Called” as a Past Tense Verb
Here “call” is an action verb. Something phoned, shouted, or contacted someone.
When “It Called” Is Grammatically Correct
It is correct whenever “it” is the doer: “The app crashed after it called the server.”
“It Called” Can Mean “It Made a Call”
The clinic said it called you twice. Make sure “it” clearly points to a person, place, or machine.
Is “Its Called” Correct?
No, “its called” is almost always wrong. “Its” is possessive, so it cannot replace “it is.”
“Its Called” vs “It’s Called”
Only the second version hides the verb “is” inside the contraction. That is why “it’s called” works and “its called” does not.
Why “Its Called” Is Usually Incorrect
Both words are real, so spell check often lets the error through. The sentence still lacks a proper verb phrase.
When to Use “Its” Without an Apostrophe
Use “its” to show ownership, as in “The dog wagged its tail.”
It’s Called vs It Called Examples
Seeing both phrases in context makes the difference easier to remember.
Examples of “It’s Called”
- It’s called a croissant.
- I forgot what it’s called.
- The tool you need is a wrench, but it’s called a spanner in some countries.
Examples of “It Called”
- The doctor’s office said it called you twice.
- The program failed after it called the wrong file.
- The robot beeped when it called for help.
Side by Side Examples
“It’s called a voicemail” names something. “It called and left a voicemail” describes an action that already happened.
Why Does the Apostrophe Matter in “It’s Called”?
The apostrophe marks a contraction, and that changes the grammar of the entire phrase.
It’s Means It Is
With the apostrophe, “it’s” carries a verb. Without it, the verb disappears.
Its Means Possession
Without the apostrophe, “its” only shows that something belongs to “it.” Mixing the two is one of the most common writing slips in English.
The Easy “It Is” Test for It’s vs Its
This test takes about two seconds and works in most sentences.
Replace “It’s” With “It Is”
If “it is called” fits, keep the apostrophe. “It is called a stapler” sounds right, so write “It’s called a stapler.”
When the “It Is” Test Does Not Work
Sometimes “it’s” means “it has,” as in “It’s been called many things.” Try both “it is” and “it has” before you decide.
Why “It’s Called” Is a Passive Construction
In a passive sentence, the thing being named comes first, and the person doing the naming stays hidden.
The Structure of “It Is Called”
It uses a form of “be” plus a past participle. “It” receives the action, so nobody is shown doing the calling.
Active vs Passive Example
Passive: “It’s called a lighthouse.” Active: “People call it a lighthouse.” Both mean the same thing.
Why English Uses “It’s Called” for Names
The name matters more than who chose it. That is why this pattern feels so natural in everyday speech.
When Is “It Called” an Active Sentence?
It is active whenever the subject performs the verb.
“It” Performs the Action
In “The system called the function,” the system does the calling. That makes the sentence active.
“Called” Is the Simple Past Form of “Call”
The word “called” describes a finished action, so it often appears with phones, machines, and software.
“It Called Me” vs “It’s Called Me”
“It called me” is correct when something contacted you. “It’s called me” only works as “it has called me,” which is rare in daily writing.
“What Is It Called?” vs “What’s It Called?”
Both questions ask for a name, and both are correct.
What Is It Called?
This is the standard form and works in writing and speech.
What’s It Called?
This contraction sounds more relaxed and is common in conversation.
Do They Mean the Same Thing?
Yes. “What do you call it?” is another natural way to ask the same question.
Is “How Is It Called?” Correct English?
Rarely. Native speakers ask for names with “what,” not “how.”
Better Options
“What is this tool called?” and “What do you call that bridge?” sound natural and clear.
Common Mistakes With It’s, Its and It Called
These four errors appear again and again in emails, essays, and captions.
| Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
| Its called a smartphone. | It’s called a smartphone. | Needs “it is” |
| It called a smartphone. | It’s called a smartphone. | Naming needs the passive form |
| It’s called me yesterday. | It called me yesterday. | Past action, not a contraction |
| The company changed it’s name. | The company changed its name. | Shows possession |
It’s Called vs It Is Called
The two forms mean the same thing, and the choice is about tone.
Are They the Same?
Yes. “It’s called” is simply the shortened version.
When Should You Use “It Is Called”?
Choose it in reports, essays, and formal documents where contractions feel out of place.
Is “It’s Called” Less Formal?
Slightly, but it is acceptable in most writing, including blogs and emails.
It’s Called vs It Called in Real Sentences
- An object: “It’s called a whisk.”
- A phone call: “The bank said it called you this morning.”
- A computer system: “The script failed after it called the database.”
- A name or term: “It’s called the greenhouse effect.”
Easy Memory Tricks for Writers
- Say “it is” out loud. If it fits, add the apostrophe.
- Picture a dog’s tail to remember that “its” shows ownership.
- Ask yourself: is something being named, or is something making a call?
Why Writers Keep Mixing These Up
The phrases sound identical in speech, autocorrect rarely flags real words, and fast typing drops punctuation. Knowing the cause helps you slow down at the right moment.
Quick Practice Test With Answers
- “ called a ladle.” The answer is “It’s.”
- “The shop said called you.” The answer is “it.”
- “The cat licked paw.” The answer is “its.”
Proofreading Tips for Faster Editing
- Search your draft for “its called” and fix every match.
- Read each apostrophe aloud as “is” or “has.”
- Check that “it” clearly points to a person, place, or machine.
Related Word Pairs Writers Confuse
Your and you’re, their and they’re, whose and who’s follow the same rule. The apostrophe signals a contraction, while the plain word shows possession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “it’s called” grammatically correct?
Yes. It is the contraction of “it is called” and is used to give a name.
Is “it called” grammatically correct?
Yes, when “it” performs the action. It does not work for giving a name.
Is “its called” correct?
No. “Its” is possessive, so the correct form is “it’s called.”
What is the difference between “its” and “it’s”?
“Its” shows ownership, while “it’s” means “it is” or “it has.” Use the “it is” test to check.
What is the correct phrase: “what is it called” or “how is it called”?
“What is it called?” is the natural choice. “How is it called?” sounds unnatural to most speakers.
Can I write “it is called” instead of “it’s called”?
Yes. Both are correct, and “it is called” suits formal writing better.
Is “what’s it called?” correct English?
Yes. It is a common, relaxed way to ask for a name.
Conclusion
Write “it’s called” when you are naming something, and write “it called” only when something made a call or took an action. Avoid “its called,” because the possessive cannot replace “it is.”
- Naming: “It’s called a thesaurus.”
- Action: “It called the server twice.”
- Possession: “The book lost its cover.”
When in doubt, try the “it is” test. That one habit will keep your writing clean and correct.