It’s Called vs It Called: Understanding the Distinction

When it comes to mastering the English language, even the tiniest details can completely change meaning. I still remember when I first discovered It’s Called vs It Called: Understanding the Distinction—it hit me like a curveball during editing practice. These phrases may sound almost identical when spoken quickly, but they serve very different purposes. The subtle difference rests not only in grammar but in making meaning crystal clear. The contraction It’s—short for “it is” or “it has”—is used when naming or identifying something. 

For example, you could say, “The movie It’s Called Inception,” which shows you’re referring to the name of a title or idea. Meanwhile, “It called” refers to an action in the past, where “it” is the subject that made a call or acted in some way. I’ve seen learners, both native and non-native speakers, get tripped up by this tricky pair, but once you spot it, the rule feels simple yet significant to understand.

As an editor, I’ve often seen how a minor apostrophe can affect meaning deeply, especially in professional settings where effective communication is vital. One tiny mistake can impact a writer’s credibility, particularly when grammar and clarity are expected. That’s why I always recommend learning how to apply grammar rules correctly. 

This guide is packed with practical tips, examples, and distinctions that help avoid misusing expressions. From storytelling and reporting events to a brand campaign or product brief, knowing when and how to use each phrase improves writing, prevents errors, and enhances confidence. It’s not just about grammar; it’s about communicating with accuracy, clarity, and a sharp tone.

Once you grasp this simple rule, you’ll never mix up It’s Called and It Called again—trust me, experience truly is the best teacher.

Why “It’s Called” vs “It Called” Confuses So Many People

English is full of contractions, tenses, and similar-looking words. “It’s called” and “It called” are perfect examples of how one small mark can change everything.

Here’s a quick comparison to show why this matters:

• ❌ It called a smartphone.
• ✅ It’s called a smartphone.

The first sentence sounds odd because it called means something performed the action of calling. The second one, it’s called, correctly names or identifies something. Getting this right helps you communicate clearly, especially in writing, business emails, and everyday conversation.

Quick Answer: Which Is Correct?

In most cases, “It’s called” is the correct form. It means “it is called” and is used when naming, identifying, or describing something.

Phrase	Meaning	Example	Correctness
It’s called	It is called (used to name or describe)	It’s called a volcano.	✅ Correct
It called	Past tense of “call” (action performed)	It called for help.	✅ Correct but rare
Its called	Incorrect (missing apostrophe)	Its called a festival.	❌ Wrong

Rule:
If you can replace it with “it is called”, use it’s called. If it refers to something that literally did the action of calling, use it called.

Breaking Down the Grammar

Understanding “It’s”

The word “it’s” is a contraction. It combines two words — it is or it has — into one.

Examples:

• It’s sunny today. (= It is sunny today.)
• It’s been a long week. (= It has been a long week.)
  

This contraction is used constantly in spoken and written English because it sounds natural and conversational. However, because of that apostrophe, people sometimes confuse it with its, which is possessive.

Remember:
If you can expand it’s to it is or it has and the sentence still makes sense, you’re using it correctly.

Understanding “It Called”

The phrase “it called” is in the past tense. It means it (the subject) performed the action of calling in the past.

Examples:

• It called my name from the hallway.
• The computer called for an update.
• The system called automatically last night.

Notice that it called describes an action that already happened. It’s not used to name or describe something. That’s why It called a sandwich would never be correct.

Tip:
If the sentence involves naming or identifying something, use “it’s called.”
If it describes something doing the action of calling, use “it called.”

Common Grammar Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even experienced English speakers make a few recurring mistakes with this phrase. Let’s go through them one by one.

Mistake 1: Writing “Its Called” Instead of “It’s Called”

This is the most common error. The missing apostrophe changes the meaning completely.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Its called a galaxy.	It’s called a galaxy.	“It’s” = it is
Its raining today.	It’s raining today.	“It’s” = it is

The word its shows possession, while it’s means it is or it has. Forgetting the apostrophe turns a correct phrase into nonsense.

Mistake 2: Using “It Called” When You Mean “It’s Called”

Because “called” sounds similar in both phrases, it’s easy to mix them up.

• ❌ It called a hurricane.
• ✅ It’s called a hurricane.

In the first sentence, the verb called doesn’t make sense — a hurricane can’t perform an action. The second sentence is correct because it’s naming or describing something.

Mistake 3: Overusing “It’s” in Formal Writing

In casual conversation, it’s is perfectly fine. But in formal documents, essays, or reports, contractions are often avoided. Instead, write the full form: it is.

Example:

• Informal: It’s called global warming.
• Formal: It is called global warming.

Knowing when to use contractions is part of mastering English style and tone.

The Possessive Form: “Its”

Here’s where many people get tripped up. The possessive “its” doesn’t have an apostrophe. It’s used to show that something belongs to or is related to something else.

Examples:

• The company raised its prices.
• The bird built its nest.
• Every planet has its orbit.

Think of its like his or her. You wouldn’t write hi’s, so don’t write it’s when showing ownership.

Word	Function	Example
It’s	Contraction (it is / it has)	It’s been a wonderful journey.
Its	Possessive pronoun	The dog wagged its tail.

Quick Check:
If you can replace the word with it is, use it’s.
If you can replace it with his or her, use its.

isual Grammar Guide

Here’s a simple way to visualize the difference between the three:

It’s → contraction of it is or it has
Its → possessive, showing ownership
It called → past tense action, describing something that already happened

Examples:

• It’s called a rainbow.
• The rainbow lost its color.
• It called for attention because of its beauty.

These examples highlight how a small apostrophe or verb tense can change meaning entirely.

Real-World Examples in Context

Seeing these phrases in real sentences helps cement your understanding.

“It’s called” examples:

• It’s called “climate change,” not “global warming.”
• It’s called mindfulness — the art of staying present.
• It’s called the golden rule: treat others as you’d like to be treated.

“It called” examples:

• It called for immediate action.
• It called my phone twice before I noticed.
• It called everyone’s attention when the alarm went off.

Common mistake example:

• ❌ Its called a good idea.
• ✅ It’s called a good idea.

You’ll notice that “it’s called” almost always introduces a name, label, or description, while “it called” appears in narrative or action-based contexts.

Contractions in Formal and Informal Writing

Contractions like it’s make language sound natural, but they’re not always suitable in every situation.

When to use contractions (informal):

• Everyday conversation
• Emails between friends
• Blog posts and social media
• Fiction writing

When to avoid contractions (formal):

• Academic essays
• Research papers
• Business proposals
• Legal documents

Example comparison:

Context	Informal Version	Formal Version
Email	It’s called a follow-up meeting.	It is called a follow-up meeting.
Essay	It’s known as the Renaissance.	It is known as the Renaissance.
Business	It’s called brand repositioning.	It is called brand repositioning.

Contractions aren’t wrong — they just need to match your tone and audience.

Quick Memory Tricks

Mastering these phrases becomes effortless once you use a few simple memory hacks.

1. The Replacement Trick:
   If you can replace “it’s” with “it is” or “it has,” it’s correct.
   Example: It’s called a comet → It is called a comet.
   
2. The Ownership Test:
   If you can replace it with his or her, use “its.”
   Example: The dog wagged its tail → The dog wagged his tail.
   
3. The Past Action Reminder:
   “It called” describes something that happened before.
   Example: It called for help yesterday.
   
4. The Apostrophe Rule:
   “It’s” always needs one. “Its” never does.

These quick checks can save you from most common grammar mistakes.

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between “It’s Called” and “It Called”?

 The main difference lies in grammar and meaning. “It’s Called” (a contraction of it is or it has) is used when naming or identifying something, while “It Called” describes an action in the past—where “it” performed the action of calling.

2. Why do learners confuse “It’s Called” and “It Called”?

 Many learners, especially ESL students, get confused because the phrases sound almost identical when spoken quickly. However, the apostrophe in “It’s” completely changes the meaning, turning it into a passive form that describes a name, not an action.

3. Can I use “It’s Called” in formal writing?

 Yes, absolutely. “It’s Called” is perfectly fine in both formal and informal writing, as long as it fits your sentence structure. Just ensure it’s clear that you’re identifying or naming something, not describing an action.

4. What’s a simple way to remember the difference?

 Think of “It’s Called” as a label—you’re giving something a name. Think of “It Called” as a storyline—you’re describing something that happened. This mental shortcut keeps you from mixing them up.

5. Why is mastering this difference important?

 Because tiny details matter in the English language. Using these phrases correctly improves your credibility, clarity, and communication skills, especially in professional or academic settings.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between “It’s Called” and “It Called” may seem like a small grammar point, but it makes a huge impact on how your message is perceived. Whether you’re writing professionally, teaching, or just trying to communicate clearly, knowing when to use each phrase shows mastery of the English language.

This subtle difference is what separates a confident communicator from a careless writer. By paying attention to apostrophes, context, and usage, you’ll not only avoid mistakes but also write with precision, fluency, and confidence every single time.