The difference between it’s called vs it called may look small, but that tiny apostrophe changes the meaning and grammar of the sentence. If you are unsure whether to write “It’s called…” or “It called…”, you are not alone. This is a common English grammar and punctuation question, especially for English learners.
The good news is that the correct choice is easy to understand once you know what it’s means. In this guide, we will explain the difference between it’s called and it called, show you clear examples, discuss common mistakes, and explain when each expression is grammatically correct. We will also look at American and British English usage so you can write with confidence.
Quick Answer: It’s Called vs It Called
The most important difference is simple:
- It’s called = It is called or sometimes It has called, depending on context. In the phrase “It’s called…”, it almost always means “It is called…”
- It called = the past tense of the verb call when it is the subject.
Examples
Meaning:
But:
Or:
Here, it called means that something or someone made a call in the past.
Simple rule
If you mean “It is named…”, use it’s called.
If you mean that something made a call in the past, use it called.
What Does “It’s Called” Mean?
The phrase it’s called is a contraction of:
The word it’s contains an apostrophe because it combines it and is.
For example:
The full version is:
The phrase it’s called is commonly used when telling someone the name of something or explaining what something is known as.
Examples of “It’s Called”
- It’s called a smartphone.
- It’s called artificial intelligence.
- It’s called a blue whale.
- It’s called a traditional dish.
- It’s called English grammar.
- It’s called a relative pronoun.
- It’s called the capital city.
- It’s called a laptop.
In each example, it’s called introduces the name or term used for something.
What Does “It Called” Mean?
The phrase it called is different.
Here, it is the subject, and called is the past tense of the verb call.
For example:
However, this sentence is unusual because phones typically receive calls rather than make them. A more natural example would be:
Or:
In these examples, called describes an action that happened in the past.
The important point is that it called does not normally mean “it is named.”
If you want to say that something has a particular name, you should use:
Not:
It’s Called vs It Called: Comparison Table
| Expression | Meaning | Grammar | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| It’s called | It is named or known as | “It is” + past participle | It’s called a smartphone. |
| It called | It made a call in the past | Subject + past-tense verb | It called me yesterday. |
| It’s called a… | The name of something | Passive voice | It’s called a laptop. |
| It called me… | Something contacted someone | Active voice | It called me last night. |
The key difference is passive vs active meaning.
In it’s called, the thing is given a name.
In it called, the subject performed the action of calling.
Why Does the Apostrophe Matter?
The apostrophe in it’s is extremely important.
It’s = it is or it has
Its = possessive form
It = pronoun
For example:
This means:
But:
Here, its shows possession.
And:
Here, it is simply a pronoun.
These three forms are often confused, but they have different grammatical functions.
It’s Called: Examples in Everyday English
The phrase it’s called is very common in everyday conversations.
Example 1: Asking About a Name
Example 2: Talking About a Place
Example 3: Explaining a Concep
Example 4: Talking About Food
Example 5: Talking About Technology
In all these examples, it’s called means “it is called” or “it is known as.”
It Called: Examples in Sentences
Now let’s look at it called.
Here, called is a past-tense verb.
Examples
A more natural version would often be:
Another example:
Or:
Here, it called refers to an action that happened in the past.
Another Important Example
Consider:
This means the dog somehow called or summoned its owner.
But:
This means the dog’s name is Max.
And:
can become:
No. This is incorrect because it’s cannot replace is in that position without changing the sentence structure.
The correct sentence is:
This means:
The Difference Between “It’s Called” and “It’s Named”
In many situations, it’s called and it’s named have similar meanings.
For example:
However, it’s called is generally more natural in everyday English.
We commonly say:
The phrase called can refer to a name, title, label, or general term.
Examples
- This animal is called a dolphin.
- The process is called photosynthesis.
- The building is called the Grand Hotel.
- This type of writing is called fiction.
The word named is often more directly associated with giving a particular name to a person, place, or thing.
Common Mistakes With It’s Called vs It Called
Mistake 1: Writing “It Called” When You Mean “It Is Called”
Incorrect:
Correct:
The first sentence suggests that it performed the action of calling. The second tells us the name of the object.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Apostrophe
Incorrect:
Correct:
The apostrophe is necessary because it’s is a contraction of it is.
Mistake 3: Confusing “It’s” With “Its”
Compare:
The first means it is.
The second shows possession.
Mistake 4: Assuming “Called” Always Means “Telephoned”
The verb call has several meanings.
It can mean:
- To telephone someone
- To give something a name
- To shout or speak loudly
- To invite someone
- To announce something
For example:
Here, called means telephoned.
But:
Here, called means named.
Context determines the meaning.
Is “It’s Called” Formal or Informal?
It’s called is perfectly acceptable in both everyday and formal English.
In casual conversation, you might say:
In formal writing, you might write:
Both are grammatically correct.
In very formal academic writing, you may sometimes see the full form:
instead of:
However, the contraction it’s is not grammatically wrong in professional writing. The choice often depends on the desired tone and style.
American English vs British English
There is no significant difference between American and British English in the basic use of it’s called and it called.
Both varieties use:
to mean:
For example:
American English:
British English
Here, the grammar is the same, but the vocabulary differs.
Another example:
American English:
British English:
The expression it’s called works naturally in both varieties.
The phrase it called, when used as a past-tense verb, also follows the same basic grammar rules in American and British English.
How to Choose Between It’s Called and It Called
Ask yourself one simple question:
Am I talking about a name, or am I talking about an action?
If You Mean a Name
Use:
Example:
You could replace it with:
If the sentence still makes sense, it’s called is correct.
If You Mean an Action in the Past
Use:
Example:
Here, you are describing something that made a call.
A Quick Test
Try expanding it’s into it is.
→ It is called a computer. ✅
→ It is called me yesterday. ❌
The second sentence does not work because you need the past-tense action called:
This simple test can help you quickly identify the correct form.
FAQs
1. Is “it’s called” or “it called” correct?
Both can be correct, but they have different meanings. It’s called means it is called or named, while it called means that something made a call in the past.
2. What does “it’s called” mean?
It’s called usually means it is called or it is known as. For example, It’s called a smartphone means It is called a smartphone.
3. What does “it called” mean?
It called is the past tense of the verb call. It means that something or someone called or contacted someone in the past.
4. Should I write “its called” or “it’s called”?
You should write it’s called when you mean it is called. The apostrophe is important because it’s is a contraction of it is.
5. Can “it’s called” be used in formal writing?
Yes. It’s called is grammatically correct in both casual and formal English. In highly formal writing, you may choose the full form it is called.
6. Is “it’s called” the same as “it’s named”?
They can have similar meanings in many contexts. However, it’s called is often more natural when asking for or explaining the common name of something.
7. Is there an American and British English difference?
No major grammatical difference exists. Both American and British English use it’s called to mean it is called. Some nouns may have different names in each variety.
8. How can I remember the difference?
Remember this simple rule: It’s called = it is called. It called = it performed the action of calling in the past. If you mean a name, choose it’s called.
Final Summary
The difference between it’s called vs it called comes down to meaning and grammar. It’s called is a contraction of it is called and is used when you want to tell someone the name or common term for something. For example, It’s called a smartphone means It is called a smartphone. This is by far the more common expression when discussing names, labels, terms, and definitions.
On the other hand, it called uses called as a past-tense verb. It describes an action that happened in the past, such as something or someone making a phone call. The two expressions may look similar, but the apostrophe in it’s completely changes the grammatical structure and meaning. Once you learn to expand it’s into it is, the difference becomes much easier to recognize.
