When you want to say the name of something, the correct expression is usually “it’s called.” For example, “It’s called a smartphone” means “It is called a smartphone.” The phrase “it called” is different: by itself, it is usually incomplete or grammatically incorrect because called needs a subject and, in most common uses, an auxiliary verb such as is or was.
The confusion happens because it’s can look like a possessive form, while it is actually a contraction of “it is.” Understanding this small difference can help you avoid mistakes in everyday conversation, school writing, emails, and online communication. In this guide, we will explain it’s called vs it called, show when to use each construction, and provide simple examples that make the grammar easy to remember.
Quick Answer: It’s Called or It Called?
“It’s called” is correct when you mean “it is called” or “people call it.” For example, “It’s called a dictionary.” “It called” is generally incorrect when you are trying to give something a name. However, “it called” can be grammatically correct when called is a past-tense verb, as in “It called me yesterday.”
Why Do People Confuse “It’s Called” and “It Called”?
The main reason for the confusion is the contraction it’s.
It’s = it is or, in some contexts, it has.
In “It’s called a laptop,” the phrase can be expanded to:
It is called a laptop.
Here, called is part of a passive construction.
By contrast, it called contains called as the main past-tense verb:
The dog barked, and it called my attention to the noise.
Although that particular sentence is less natural than “It drew my attention,” the grammar shows the difference: called is functioning as a verb rather than forming the passive phrase is called.
What Does “It’s Called” Mean?
“It’s called” means “it is called.” We use it to tell someone the name of a person, place, object, activity, concept, or thing.
Examples
- It’s called a telescope.
- It’s called “The Blue House.”
- It’s called Spanish.
- It’s called a renewable-energy system.
- It’s called a shortcut.
The structure is:
It + is + called + name
For example:
It’s called a compass.
Expanded:
It is called a compass.
This is a passive construction because the thing receives the action of being named.
What Does “It Called” Mean?
“It called” can be grammatically correct, but it does not normally mean “it is called.”
Here, called is the simple past form of call.
For example:
- The phone rang, and it called my attention to the problem.
- The machine called the number automatically.
- The alarm called everyone back to work.
However, these sentences are less common than many alternative expressions.
When you want to say what something is named, use:
It’s called…
not:
It called…
Called It Called: Comparison Table
| Phrase | Meaning | Grammar | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| It’s called | It is named | Passive construction | It’s called a notebook. |
| It called | It made a call or summoned someone/something | Simple past verb | It called me yesterday. |
| It is called | Same as “it’s called” | Full passive construction | It is called a notebook. |
| It was called | It had a name in the past | Past passive | It was called the Old Mill. |
| It has called | It has made a call/summoned someone | Present perfect | It has called several times. |
When Should You Use “It’s Called”?
Use “it’s called” when identifying or explaining the name of something.
1. Naming an object
It’s called a thermometer.
2. Naming a place
It’s called Green Valley.
3. Naming a method
It’s called the scientific method.
4. Explaining a word
It’s called a homophone.
5. Identifying a type of food
It’s called sushi.
You can also use “it is called” when you want a more formal style.
It is called the traditional method.
When Can You Use “It Called”?
Use “it called” when called is the main past-tense verb.
For example:
It called me last night.
Here, the meaning is that it made a call to me.
Another example:
The phone called me.
This sentence is grammatically possible, although “The phone rang” or “Someone called me” would usually sound more natural.
The important point is that “it called” does not mean “it is called.”
12 Examples of “It’s Called”
Here are practical examples:
- It’s called a smartphone.
- It’s called a dictionary.
- It’s called a rainbow.
- It’s called a shortcut.
- It’s called Mount Everest.
- It’s called a bicycle.
- It’s called a metaphor.
- It’s called a renewable resource.
- It’s called traditional English.
- It’s called a password manager.
- It’s called a compound word.
- It’s called a coffee maker.
In every example, it’s means it is.
Examples of “It Called”
These examples use called as a past-tense verb:
- It called me yesterday.
- It called the emergency number automatically.
- It called attention to an important problem.
- It called everyone into the room.
- It called for immediate action.
- The alarm called everyone back to work.
Notice that these sentences do not identify the name of something.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “it called” for a name
It called a smartphone.
It’s called a smartphone.
Mistake 2: Confusing “it’s” with “its”
It’s usually means it is or it has.
Its shows possession.
Compare:
It’s called a tablet.
The tablet lost its cover.
Mistake 3: Writing “its called”
Its called a computer.
It’s called a computer.
The apostrophe matters because it’s is the contraction of it is.
Mistake 4: Assuming every “called” needs “it’s”
Not necessarily.
She called me.
It called me.
Here, called is the past-tense verb.
A Simple Memory Trick
Remember:
It’s called = It is called
If you can replace it’s with it is, the sentence is probably correct.
It’s called a pencil.
becomes:
It is called a pencil.
That makes perfect sense.
But:
It called a pencil.
does not normally make sense if your intended meaning is “Its name is pencil.”
So, when talking about the name of something, remember:
Name → It’s called
American vs British English
There is no major American-versus-British English difference in the basic distinction between “it’s called” and “it called.”
Both American and British English use:
It’s called…
to identify the name of something.
Both varieties can also use:
It called…
when called is the past-tense verb, although the natural wording depends on the context.
For example:
American English:
It’s called a flashlight.
British English:
It’s called a torch.
The grammatical structure is the same, even though the vocabulary may differ.
Similar Words and Expressions
Several expressions are related to “it’s called.”
It is called
The full form of it’s called.
It is called a notebook.
It’s known as
Used when something is known by a particular name or description.
It’s known as the City of Light.
It is named
Often used when explaining how something received its name.
It was named after its founder.
They call it
An active alternative.
They call it a smart device.
Its name is
A direct way to identify a name.
Its name is Luna.
These expressions are related, but they are not always interchangeable in every context.
Final Verdict: It’s Called vs It Called
When you want to say what something is named, use “it’s called.”
It’s called a dictionary.
This means:
It is called a dictionary.
Use “it called” only when called is being used as a past-tense verb.
It called me yesterday.
So the easiest rule is:
Talking about a name → “It’s called.”
Talking about a past action → “It called.”
FAQs
Is “it’s called” grammatically correct?
Yes. “It’s called” is grammatically correct and means “it is called.” It is commonly used to identify the name of something.
Is “it called” correct English?
Yes, but its meaning is different. “It called” uses called as a past-tense verb. For example, “It called me yesterday.”
Should I say “it’s called” or “it called”?
If you are giving the name of something, say “it’s called.” For example, “It’s called a keyboard.”
Is “it’s called” a passive construction?
Yes. “It’s called” is short for “it is called,” which uses the passive voice.
What is the difference between “its” and “it’s called”?
It’s is normally a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” Its is a possessive determiner. For example, “It’s called a dog” versus “The dog wagged its tail.”
Can “it called” mean “it is called”?
No. If you mean that something has a particular name, “it’s called” is the appropriate expression.
Can I use “it is called” instead of “it’s called”?
Yes. “It is called” and “it’s called” have the same basic meaning. The full form can sound slightly more formal or emphatic.
Remember This
It’s called = It is called → naming something
It called = called in the past → an action
If you are telling someone the name of something, choose “it’s called.”
Conclusion
The difference between “it’s called” and “it called” is simple once you understand the role of it’s. In “it’s called,” the apostrophe shows that it’s is a contraction of “it is.” This construction is used when identifying or explaining the name of something.
“It called,” on the other hand, uses called as a past-tense verb and has a different meaning. Therefore, if you are asking or explaining what something is named, the natural choice is “it’s called.” Remember the quick test: replace it’s with it is. If the sentence still makes sense, you have likely chosen the correct form.
Adam Cody is a passionate writer at SleepCout, exploring coded dreams, dream meanings, sleep science, lucid dreaming, and symbolism through engaging, well-researched articles that inspire curiosity and self-discovery.
