You hear it every day. Someone points at an object and asks, “What’s it called?” Someone else answers with a phrase that sounds almost right but reads wrong on the page. One tiny apostrophe separates a correct sentence from a confusing one, and most writers never notice the gap until a reader points it out.
This guide breaks down “it’s called” versus “it called” in plain language. You will learn the grammar rule behind each phrase, see real examples, and pick up a simple trick that locks the correct usage into memory for good.
What Is the Difference Between “It’s Called” and “It Called”?
“It’s called” is a contraction of “it is called.” You use it when naming, labeling, or identifying something. For example: “It’s called a stapler.”
“It called” is a simple past tense sentence. Here, “it” performs the action of calling, usually referring to a phone, a device, an animal, or a person referred to as “it.” For example: “It called twice this morning.”
The two phrases look similar but serve completely different jobs. One introduces a name. The other describes an action that already happened.
Understanding the Grammar Behind “It’s Called”
“It’s called” works through passive voice. Instead of a subject performing an action, the subject receives a label or a name. That structure matches how English typically identifies objects, concepts, or terms.
Break the sentence down:
- It’s = It is
- called = past participle, paired with the helping verb “is”
Together they form a present passive construction. That construction answers the question “What is this thing named?”
Consider these examples:
- “It’s called photosynthesis.”
- “This tool? It’s called a whisk.”
- “The condition is called insomnia.”
Every sentence above follows the same pattern: subject, helping verb, past participle, name. Drop the apostrophe and the sentence loses its helping verb, which breaks the grammar entirely.
“Its called a whisk” reads as an error because “its” is a possessive pronoun, not a contraction, and a possessive pronoun cannot stand in for “it is.”
When Can “It Called” Be Correct?
“It called” is grammatically valid, just far less common in everyday writing. You use it when something genuinely performed the action of calling in the past.
Situations where “it called” fits naturally:
- A phone or device rang someone: “It called my number twice.”
- An animal made a sound described as calling: “The owl called through the night.”
- A machine or system triggered an alert: “The alarm called for immediate action.”
- A person referred to indirectly as “it” (rare, often in fiction): “It called out from the shadows.”
Notice the pattern. In every case, “it” acts as the subject that does something, not a label attached to a name. If you can swap “it called” for “it named” and the sentence still makes sense, you are using the wrong phrase. If the sentence describes an action that already finished, “it called” is the right choice.
It’s Called vs It Called: Side by Side Comparison
| Feature | It’s Called | It Called |
| Full form | It is called | It (simple past of call) |
| Voice | Passive | Active |
| Purpose | Naming or identifying | Describing a past action |
| Tense | Present | Past |
| Example | It’s called gravity | It called the office |
| Common usage | Very frequent | Rare |
| Can replace with “it is”? | Yes | No |
This table sums up the core rule in one glance. If you can mentally substitute “it is” into the sentence and it still makes sense, add the apostrophe. If the sentence describes something that already happened, skip the apostrophe entirely.
Common Mistakes People Make
Writers slip up in a handful of predictable ways. Watch for these patterns in your own work:
- Dropping the apostrophe when naming something. “Its called a marathon” should read “It’s called a marathon.”
- Confusing “its” with “it’s.” “Its” shows possession, as in “The dog wagged its tail.” “It’s” always means “it is” or “it has.”
- Using “it called” for definitions. “It called an allergy” makes no sense. The correct phrase names a condition, so “It’s called an allergy” fits.
- Overcorrecting and adding an apostrophe to past tense sentences. “It’s called me yesterday” is wrong. The sentence describes an action, so “It called me yesterday” is correct.
- Mixing tenses within a paragraph. Stick to one tense per idea so readers do not lose track of timing.
Each of these errors traces back to the same root cause: forgetting what the apostrophe actually stands for. Once that clicks, the mistakes disappear fast.
Also See This: Take Effect vs. Take Affect: Which One Is Correct? Easy Grammar Guide (2026)
Real Life Example: How a Content Writer Fixed a Common Grammar Error
A freelance blogger named Sara submitted a draft to her editor about kitchen gadgets. Her sentence read: “This little tool, its called a zester, works wonders on citrus peel.” Her editor flagged the line immediately.
Sara paused and asked herself the substitution trick: could she replace “its” with “it is”? The sentence became “This little tool, it is called a zester” and it made perfect sense. She added the apostrophe, resubmitted the piece, and never made that mistake again.
Small moments like this show why grammar habits matter more than grammar theory. Sara did not memorize a textbook rule. She built a habit of testing her sentence with a quick substitution, and that habit stuck.
Why Grammar Accuracy Matters in Digital Content
Search engines and readers both reward clarity. A sentence with a misplaced apostrophe might still get the point across, but it chips away at trust. Readers associate clean grammar with expertise, and that association shapes how long they stay on a page.
Accurate grammar also supports better readability scores, which search engines factor into ranking decisions. Content that flows naturally, without distracting errors, tends to hold attention longer and earns more shares. For bloggers, marketers, and students alike, small grammar fixes compound into a stronger, more credible writing voice over time.
How to Remember the Correct Usage
Here is a memory trick that sticks:
- Ask yourself, “Can I replace this phrase with ‘it is’?”
- If yes, use “it’s called” and keep the apostrophe.
- If no, and the sentence describes a completed action, use “it called.”
- Read the sentence aloud. Passive naming sentences usually sound like definitions. Active past tense sentences usually sound like a story.
Practice this test daily with random objects around you. Point at something, ask “What’s it called?” and answer using the correct passive form. Repetition builds instinct faster than memorizing rules ever will.
Mini Quiz: It’s Called vs It Called
Test yourself with these quick prompts. Cover the answers first.
- This flower ___ a tulip. (it’s called / it called)
- The phone rang, then ___ again. (it’s called / it called)
- That process ___ osmosis. (it’s called / it called)
- Yesterday, ___ my landlord about the leak. (it’s called / it called)
Answers: 1. it’s called, 2. it called, 3. it’s called, 4. it called
Conclusion
One apostrophe carries a lot of weight. “It’s called” names things and belongs in the vast majority of everyday sentences, from casual conversation to professional writing. “It called” describes a completed action and shows up far less often, but knowing when it fits keeps your writing accurate and confident.
Run the simple substitution test whenever you hesitate, replace the phrase with “it is” and see if the sentence still holds up. Practice with real examples, review the table above whenever doubt creeps in, and this grammar pair will stop tripping you up for good.
Ahmad is a passionate writer and digital content creator dedicated to sharing insightful, engaging, and informative articles across multiple niches. With a strong interest in technology, lifestyle, trending topics, and online media, Ahmad focuses on delivering well-researched and reader-friendly content that inspires and informs audiences worldwide.
