Is it it’s called or it called? The answer depends on what you want to say. If you are naming or identifying something, use “it’s called.” If you are describing an action that happened in the past, “it called” can be correct.
There is also a third form to watch out for: “its called.” When you mean “it is called,” this version is incorrect because it leaves out the apostrophe in the contraction it’s.
Understanding the difference is easier than it might seem. Let’s look at how each expression works, with examples to help you choose the right one.
What Is the Difference Between “It’s Called” and “It Called”?
The main difference is grammatical: it’s called means “it is called,” while it called describes something that performed a calling action in the past.
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| It’s called | It is named or known as something | It’s called a sea turtle. |
| It is called | The full form of it’s called | It is called a sea turtle. |
| It called | It performed an action in the past | It called me yesterday. |
| Its called | Incorrect when intended to mean it is called | Its called a sea turtle. |
The first two expressions identify something. The third describes an action. The fourth contains an apostrophe error if the intended meaning is “it is called.”
Cambridge Dictionary recognizes both naming and telephoning as meanings of the verb call, which helps explain why the two grammatical constructions can communicate different ideas.
When to Use “It’s Called”
Use “it’s called” when you want to tell someone the name of something.
The word it’s is a contraction of it is. In this expression, called helps identify the name, title, label, or term associated with something.
For example:
- It’s called a cappuccino.
- It’s called the Grand Canyon.
- It’s called artificial intelligence.
- It’s called a solar eclipse.
- It’s called a wireless charger.
- It’s called a compound sentence.
Each example tells the reader what something is named or known as.
Consider this short conversation:
“What is that bird called?”
“It’s called a cardinal.”
The answer identifies the bird rather than describing an action the bird performed.
Why “It’s Called” Is Grammatically Correct
The expression follows a straightforward pattern:
It + is + called + name
For example:
- It’s called a dictionary.
- It is called a dictionary.
Both sentences are correct because it’s can be expanded to it is without changing the intended meaning.
The expression is also useful in professional and academic writing. For instance, “It’s called a control variable” works in a conversational explanation, while “It is called a control variable” may suit a more formal passage.
Neither form is inherently more grammatically correct. The choice depends on the tone of the writing.
When to Use “It Called”
Use “it called” when the subject performed a calling action in the past.
In this construction, it is the subject and called is the simple past-tense verb. There is no contraction.
For example:
- It called me yesterday.
- The alarm system called the monitoring center.
- It called the wrong number.
- The bird called from the trees.
- It called out during the night.
The precise meaning depends on the context. Called can describe making a phone call, producing a sound, or calling out to attract attention.
Compare these two sentences:
“It’s called a nightingale.” This sentence identifies a bird by name.
“It called from the tree.” This sentence describes a bird making a sound in the past.
The difference is not simply a missing apostrophe. The first sentence contains the verb is in contracted form, while the second uses called as the main verb.
Is “It Called” Incorrect?
No. “It called” is grammatically correct when it communicates a past action.
For example, if a phone system automatically contacts a customer, you might write:
“The system called me at noon. It called again an hour later.”
Both sentences describe actions that happened in the past.
However, if you want to identify the system’s name or label, write:
“It’s called the customer notification system.”
The correct expression depends on what you mean.
Why “Its Called” Is Usually Incorrect
If you are wondering whether to write its called or it called, remember that “it’s called” is the standard form when you mean “it is called.”
The confusion comes from two similar-looking words:
- It’s: A contraction of it is or it has.
- Its: A possessive word that shows a relationship or ownership.
Purdue OWL explains that it’s is a contraction, while its is possessive. The apostrophe distinguishes the two forms.
Consider these examples:
- Correct: It’s called a laptop.
- Incorrect: Its called a laptop.
The first sentence means “It is called a laptop.” The second incorrectly uses a possessive word where a contraction is needed.
However, its is correct in sentences that show possession or association:
- The laptop lost its battery cover.
- The company changed its name.
- The dog wagged its tail.
Notice that none of these sentences requires its to mean “it is.”
A useful rule is to remember that possessive words such as his, hers, and yours do not take apostrophes. The same principle applies to its.
The Easy “It Is” Test
When you are unsure whether to use it’s or its, try replacing the word with “it is.”
If the sentence still makes sense, it’s is probably the correct choice.
For example:
“It’s called a blue jay.”
Replace it’s with it is:
“It is called a blue jay.”
The sentence works, so the contraction is correct.
Now consider:
“The company changed its name.”
Replace its with it is:
“The company changed it is name.”
That version does not work. The possessive form its is necessary.
This test is particularly helpful when proofreading emails, essays, website content, and social media posts. Because it’s and its sound alike in ordinary speech, listening to a sentence may not reveal the error.
Remember that the test distinguishes it’s from its. It does not mean that every sentence containing called needs an apostrophe.
For example, “It called me yesterday” is already correct because called is the main verb.
Common Mistakes With “It’s Called” and “It Called”
Here are several common mistakes and their corrections.
Mistake 1: Leaving Out the Apostrophe
- Incorrect: Its called a smartphone.
- Correct: It’s called a smartphone.
- Why: The intended meaning is “It is called a smartphone,” so the contraction needs an apostrophe.
Mistake 2: Using “It Called” to Introduce a Name
- Incorrect for the intended meaning: It called a microscope.
- Correct: It’s called a microscope.
- Why: The sentence identifies the object. It needs is called, not the simple past-tense verb called.
The original sentence could work in a different context, such as a device calling something by a particular name, but that is a different meaning.
Mistake 3: Assuming “It Called” Is Always Wrong
- Incorrect rule: Never write “it called.”
- Correct rule: Use “it called” when describing a past calling action.
- Example: “The device called the emergency number automatically.”
- Why: The device performed the action, so called is the appropriate past-tense verb.
Mistake 4: Thinking “It Is Called” Is Better in Every Situation
Both “It’s called a password manager” and “It is called a password manager” are grammatical.
Why: One uses a contraction and the other uses the complete form. Choose the version that best suits your writing style and tone.
How to Choose the Correct Expression
When deciding between it’s called and it called, ask yourself one simple question: Am I identifying something, or describing something it did?
If you are identifying something, use it’s called:
- It’s called a constellation.
- It’s called a reusable water bottle.
- It’s called a semicolon.
If you are describing a past action, use it called:
- It called me after work.
- The machine called the service center.
- It called out from the other side of the room.
If you are unsure about the apostrophe, expand it’s to it is. If the expanded sentence works, you have a useful clue that the contraction is appropriate.
Final Verdict
When you mean that something has a particular name, “it’s called” is the correct choice. For example, “It’s called a hummingbird” means “It is called a hummingbird.”
“It called” is also correct when it performed a calling action in the past, as in “It called me yesterday.”
Finally, avoid “its called” when you mean “it is called.” Use it’s for the contraction and its to show possession.
The simplest rule to remember is this: Naming something? Use “it’s called.” Describing a past action? “It called” may be correct.