“Its called” or “it’s called” — one tiny apostrophe, and the entire meaning changes. This mistake trips up writers, students, and ESL learners alike, because both phrases sound identical when spoken. But in writing, the difference matters a lot.
“It’s called” is used to name something, while “it called” describes a past action. In this guide, you’ll learn the correct usage with simple examples, so you never make this common mistake again.
Quick Answer
- It’s called → Correct when naming or identifying something. Example: It’s called a smartphone.
- Its called → Always incorrect. The apostrophe is missing.
- It called → Correct only for a past action performed by “it.” Example: It called me yesterday.
If you can replace the phrase with “it is”, use it’s called. If you’re describing something that happened in the past, use it called.
Meaning and Explanation
It’s Called (Correct Usage)
“It’s called” is a contraction of “it is called.” It’s used to introduce the name of a person, object, place, or idea. This is the passive voice, telling the reader what something is named rather than who named it.
Example: It’s called Photoshop, and it’s used for editing images.
Its Called (Common Mistake)
“Its” without an apostrophe is a possessive pronoun, meaning something belongs to “it.” It never means “it is.” Writing “its called” for naming something is grammatically incorrect.
Example (wrong): Its called a robin. Example (correct): It’s called a robin.
It Called (Past Tense Usage)
“It called” uses “called” as the main verb in the past tense. It only makes sense when “it” is actively performing an action, usually with a direct object.
Example: It called me last night.
Common Mistakes
Its vs It’s — The Apostrophe Confusion
The most frequent error is mixing up its (possessive) with it’s (contraction). Remember: its tail, its color show ownership, while it’s raining, it’s called mean “it is.”
Missing the Helping Verb
Another common mistake is dropping the helping verb entirely, writing “it called a smartphone” instead of “it’s called a smartphone.” Without the helping verb, the sentence sounds incomplete and unclear.
Its Called vs It Called: Comparison Table
| Phrase | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
| Its called | ❌ No | Incorrect — missing apostrophe | ❌ Its called a robin |
| It’s called | ✅ Yes | It is named | ✅ It’s called a robin |
| It called | ✅ Sometimes | Past action with an object | ✅ It called me yesterday |
American vs British English
The grammar rule for it’s vs its and it called is identical in both American and British English — the apostrophe is always required when contracting “it is.” The only difference is stylistic: British English sometimes leans toward more formal phrasing in professional writing, but the core rule never changes across either dialect.
Examples in Everyday Sentences
- Correct: It’s called Google Maps, and it helps with navigation.
- Incorrect: Its called Google Maps, and its used for navigation.
- Correct (past action): It called my office to confirm the meeting.
- Incorrect (naming): It called my office a “meeting room.”
“It’s Called” in Other Languages (Spanish & French)
If you’re learning or translating, here’s how “it’s called” works in two common languages:
- In Spanish: “It’s called” translates to “se llama” (for people or things with a reflexive naming structure) or “se llama así” in casual context.
- In French: “It’s called” translates to “ça s’appelle” or “c’est appelé,” depending on formality.
Both languages use a reflexive-style structure, which is why direct word-for-word translation from English often confuses learners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is Correct: “It Called” or “It’s Called”?
“It’s called” is correct when naming or identifying something. “It called” is only correct when describing a past action, such as “it called me yesterday.”
What Does “It’s Called” Mean?
“It’s called” means “it is named” or “people refer to it as.” It’s commonly used to introduce the name of an object, place, or concept.
When Should I Use “It” vs “Its”?
Use “it” as a subject or object pronoun (e.g., “It is red”). Use “its” only to show possession (e.g., “Its color is red”). Never use “its” to mean “it is.”
Why Is “It’s” Used Instead of “It Is”?
“It’s” is a contraction that shortens “it is” or “it has” for smoother, more natural speech and writing. It works the same way as other contractions like “I’m” (I am) or “we’re” (we are).
What Is This Symbol Called in English?
This phrase follows the same naming structure. You would say, “It’s called a percent sign” or “It’s called an ampersand,” using “it’s called” to introduce the correct term.
What Does “That’s Called” Mean?
“That’s called” follows the same rule as “it’s called,” but refers to something more specific or already mentioned. Example: “That’s called irony.”
Final Thoughts
Understanding it’s called vs it called comes down to one simple rule: use it’s called when naming or describing something, and it called only for a past action with a direct object. Once you remember this distinction, the confusion disappears for good.
Whether you’re writing an email, a blog post, or a school assignment, getting this small detail right makes your writing look polished and professional. A quick mental check — can you replace “it’s” with “it is”? — will keep you confident every time you write.