English has plenty of small grammar differences that can completely change a sentence. “It’s called” and “it called” are a good example. They look and sound almost identical, especially in fast speech, but they do not serve the same grammatical purpose.

It’s called is used when you want to tell someone the name of something. It called, on the other hand, describes an action in which “it” actually makes a call or contacts someone.

For English learners, this distinction is worth remembering because one tiny apostrophe and one missing verb can change the meaning of the entire sentence.

Read More: Choose vs Select: Which Word Should You Use? (2026)

For example:

It’s called a smartphone.

This tells us the name of an object.

Compare that with:

It called the police.

Here, “it” is performing the action of making a call.

Once you understand this basic difference, choosing between the two becomes much easier.

Quick Answer: It’s Called vs It Called

If you need the rule quickly, here it is:

• It’s called means “it is called” or “it is named.”
• Use it’s called when identifying or introducing the name of something.
• It called means that “it” performed the action of calling.
• Use it called when a machine, animal, system, person, or other subject makes a call.
• Its called is incorrect when you mean “it is called.”
• In normal English conversation, it’s called is far more common.

Examples

• ✅ It’s called a smartphone.
• ✅ It’s called artificial intelligence.
• ❌ It called artificial intelligence.
• ✅ The alarm called the police.
• ✅ It called the police.

The easiest way to remember the difference is simple:

It’s called = It is named

It called = It made a call

Quick Comparison

What Does “It’s Called” Mean?

It’s called is the shortened form of “it is called.”

The apostrophe matters because it combines two words:

It’s = It is

So when someone says:

It’s called a telescope.

the complete version is:

It is called a telescope.

The basic meaning is “this is its name” or “people call it this.”

This expression is extremely common because we use names and labels constantly in everyday conversations.

Examples of “It’s Called”

• It’s called a rainbow.
• It’s called a notebook.
• It’s called teamwork.
• It’s called a museum.
• It’s called biology.
• It’s called online banking.
• It’s called a password.

In every example, the speaker is identifying or introducing a name, term, label, or concept.

What Does “It Called” Mean?

The phrase it called has a completely different function.

Here, called is the main action verb. The subject “it” is doing the calling.

For example:

The robot called the manager.

You can shorten the subject to:

It called the manager.

The meaning is that the robot made a phone call or contacted the manager.

Another example is:

The alarm called emergency services.

If we already know what the alarm is, we could say:

It called emergency services.

In this sentence, it called describes an action. It does not tell us the name of anything.

More Examples

• The robot called the doctor.
• It called the manager.
• The security system called the police.
• It called emergency services.
• The application called my phone.
• The computer called the office automatically.

So, if you’re talking about a name, choose it’s called.

If you’re talking about an action, it called may be correct.

Why Does “It’s Called” Work?

The phrase comes from the longer grammatical construction:

It is called…

English speakers regularly shorten common expressions through contractions.

For example:

• It is → It’s
• I am → I’m
• We are → We’re
• They are → They’re
• You are → You’re

Therefore:

It is called a computer.

becomes:

It’s called a computer.

Both sentences mean exactly the same thing. The shorter version simply sounds more natural in casual conversation.

If you’re writing something highly formal, “it is called” can be used. In ordinary speech and informal writing, “it’s called” is very natural.

Why Is “It’s Called” So Common?

Think about how often people ask questions such as:

• “What is this?”
• “What do you call that?”
• “What’s the name of this app?”
• “What is that place called?”

A very natural response is:

It’s called Google Maps.

You might use the phrase while discussing:

• Apps
• Movies
• Books
• Games
• Cities
• Countries
• Animals
• Technology
• Scientific terms
• School subjects
• Products
• Places

Everyday Examples

• It’s called Google Maps.
• It’s called a calculator.
• It’s called biology.
• It’s called a volcano.
• It’s called basketball.
• It’s called online banking.
• It’s called renewable energy.

These examples all identify what something is called, not what something has done.

Understanding the Grammar Behind “It’s Called”

A useful way to understand it’s called is to look at the passive voice.

Consider this sentence:

People call it a microscope.

This is active voice because people perform the action.

Now change the focus:

It is called a microscope.

That is passive voice. The sentence focuses on the thing being given the name rather than the people giving it that name.

The contraction produces:

It’s called a microscope.

So the structure is:

It + is + called + name

or, in short form:

It’s + called + name

Active vs Passive

Active:

People call it a telescope.

Passive:

It is called a telescope.

Short form:

It’s called a telescope.

This is why it’s called is grammatically correct when you’re identifying something’s name.

It’s Called vs It Called: Main Difference

The central difference comes down to name versus action.

It’s Called

Use it’s called when you’re telling someone what something is named.

It can refer to:

• An object
• A person
• A place
• An idea
• A subject
• A product
• A technology
• A book
• A movie

Examples

It’s called a dictionary.

It’s called climate change.

It’s called renewable energy.

It’s called a keyboard.

It’s called a bookmark.

In each case, the phrase introduces a name or term.

It Called

Use it called when “it” is the subject performing the action of calling.

Examples

The security system called the police.

It called my parents.

The application called my phone.

It called emergency services.

Here, called is an action. Nothing is being named.

The Difference in One Line

It’s called a laptop = That is the name of the object.

It called the doctor = It contacted the doctor.

That distinction solves most questions about this grammar point.

Expanded Comparison Table

Can “It’s Called” and “It Called” Both Be Correct?

Yes. Both forms can be grammatically correct, but they are correct in different situations.

Consider these two sentences:

It’s called The Green Garden.

This tells us the name of a place.

Now compare:

The robot called the hospital.

This tells us what the robot did.

The spelling is similar, but the grammar and meaning are different.

The same rule applies to many other examples. Don’t choose between these expressions based only on how they sound. First ask yourself what the sentence is trying to communicate.

Which One Should You Use?

Ask one question:

Are you telling someone the name of something?

If yes, use it’s called.

Examples:

• It’s called a bicycle.
• It’s called chemistry.
• It’s called a library.
• It’s called a smartphone.
• It’s called a documentary.

Is “it” performing a calling action?

If yes, it called may be correct.

Examples:

• It called my brother.
• It called emergency services.
• It called the office.
• It called the customer.
• It called the doctor.

This name-versus-action test is much easier than trying to memorize a complicated grammar definition.

Beginner Tip: Use the “It Is” Test

Here’s a quick trick that works in most situations.

Whenever you see it’s, expand it to it is.

For example:

It’s called a museum.

Replace it’s:

It is called a museum.

The sentence still works, so it’s is correct.

Now look at:

It called a museum.

You cannot replace anything because there is no contraction. The sentence has a different structure and would usually need another object if called is being used as an action.

Remember

It’s called = It is called

If you’re giving something a name, this is the construction you want.

Common Mistakes With “It’s Called” and “It Called”

These two expressions cause several predictable errors. Here are the ones learners encounter most often.

Mistake 1: Using “It Called” for a Name

❌ It called a smartphone.

✅ It’s called a smartphone.

Why? Because you’re identifying the name of the object.

The intended meaning is:

It is called a smartphone.

Not:

It made a call to a smartphone.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the Apostrophe

A very common error is:

❌ Its called a camera.

The correct form is:

✅ It’s called a camera.

That’s because it’s means it is.

By contrast, its is possessive.

Examples:

• The dog wagged its tail.
• The company changed its logo.
• The phone lost its signal.
• The machine completed its task.

So remember:

It’s = it is

Its = belonging to it

Mistake 3: Dropping “Is”

Some learners write:

❌ It called English grammar.

But when you’re identifying a name, the full construction is:

✅ It is called English grammar.

Or the contraction:

✅ It’s called English grammar.

The helping verb is is part of the passive construction.

Mistake 4: Confusing Naming With Calling

Compare these two:

It’s called a passport.

This tells us the name of something.

It called my mother.

This says that “it” contacted the mother.

They are not interchangeable.

A good way to think about it is:

called as a name → it’s called

called as an action → it called

“Its Called” or “It’s Called”?

This is another search query that causes confusion because its and it’s sound almost identical.

The correct choice when you mean “it is called” is:

✅ It’s called

The apostrophe shows that it’s is a contraction.

Examples

• It’s called a dictionary.
• It’s called a laptop.
• It’s called renewable energy.
• It’s called football.
• It’s called artificial intelligence.

What Does “Its” Mean?

Its shows possession.

Examples:

• The dog moved its tail.
• The company updated its website.
• The phone lost its signal.
• The school changed its schedule.

Therefore:

❌ Its called football.

is incorrect if your meaning is:

It is called football.

The correct sentence is:

✅ It’s called football.

Wrong vs Correct Examples

Now compare them with cases where it called really is appropriate:

• The app called my phone.
• The robot called security.
• The alarm called emergency services.
• The computer called the printer.
• It called the office automatically.

In these sentences, called is the action being performed.

Real-Life Examples of “It’s Called”

Seeing these phrases in realistic situations makes the rule easier to apply.

At School

Teacher: What is this subject?

Student: It’s called geography.

Teacher: What is this shape?

Student: It’s called a pentagon.

The students are identifying names.

At Work

Manager: We’re introducing some new software.

Employee: What’s it called?

Manager: It’s called Project Planner.

Again, the phrase identifies a name.

In an Email

Correct:

The new system is easy to use. It’s called Smart Access.

Incorrect:

The new system is easy to use. It called Smart Access.

The second version incorrectly treats “called” as an action rather than part of a passive naming structure.

On Social Media

You might see sentences such as:

• It’s called minimalism.
• It’s called digital art.
• It’s called healthy living.

These are all introducing names or descriptions.

In News Reports

Examples include:

• The project is called Green Future.
• The program is called Community First.
• The campaign is called Clean Streets.

While Traveling

You might say:

• It’s called the City Museum.
• It’s called Central Station.
• It’s called River Park.

These sentences tell another person the name of a location.

While Shopping

You could hear:

• It’s called wireless charging.
• It’s called express delivery.
• It’s called a reusable bottle.

Again, the speaker is explaining what something is called.

Sentence Patterns to Remember

A simple sentence pattern can make this rule much easier.

Pattern 1: It’s Called + Name or Noun

Examples:

• It’s called chemistry.
• It’s called a password.
• It’s called teamwork.
• It’s called artificial intelligence.
• It’s called a bookmark.

The phrase identifies something.

Pattern 2: It Called + Object

Examples:

• It called the manager.
• It called emergency services.
• It called the office.
• It called my father.

Here, “it” is doing the calling.

One-Line Rule

It’s called + what something is named

It called + who or what it contacted

Another Easy Memory Trick

When you’re unsure, use the “It Is Test.”

Take this sentence:

It’s called a computer.

Expand the contraction:

It is called a computer.

It makes perfect sense.

Now consider:

It called a computer.

This can technically describe an action in some contexts, but it no longer means “the name of the computer.” The meaning has changed.

So don’t just look at spelling. Ask what you are trying to say.

Naming something? → It’s called

Making a call? → It called

Practice Exercise

Choose the correct answer.

1. _____ a microscope.

A. It’s called ✅
B. It called

2. The robot _____ the police.

A. It’s called
B. It called ✅

3. _____ renewable energy.

A. It’s called ✅
B. It called

4. The app _____ my phone.

A. It’s called
B. It called ✅

5. _____ a passport.

A. It’s called ✅
B. It called

Mini Quiz

Fill in each blank with the appropriate form.

1. ________ a telescope.
2. The emergency system ________ the fire department.
3. ________ online banking.
4. The computer ________ customer support.
5. ________ a documentary.

Answers

1. It’s called
2. called
3. It’s called
4. called
5. It’s called

If you got all five, you’ve understood the central difference: one form identifies a name, while the other describes an action.

Student Guide: The Four Rules to Remember

For beginners and ESL learners, don’t overcomplicate this grammar point.

Keep these four rules in mind:

• It’s = It is
• It’s called = It is named
• It called = It performed a calling action
• Its = Shows possession

Quick Review

These four distinctions cover most situations where learners get confused.

Related Grammar Topics

Once you’ve mastered it’s called vs it called, you may find these related topics useful:

• Its vs It’s
• Called vs Named
• Is Called vs Was Called
• Active Voice vs Passive Voice
• There vs Their vs They’re
• Your vs You’re
• Who’s vs Whose
• Affect vs Effect

Studying these pairs together can make English spelling, grammar, and sentence construction much easier.

FAQs About “It’s Called” vs “It Called”

1. Is “it’s called” grammatically correct?

Yes. It’s called is grammatically correct when you are identifying or introducing the name of something.

Example:

It’s called a telescope.

It means:

It is called a telescope.

2. Is “it called” always wrong?

No. It called can be correct when “it” performs the action of calling.

For example:

The alarm called the police.

or:

It called the police.

The important point is that the phrase describes an action, not a name.

3. What does “it’s called” mean?

It’s called means “it is called,” “it is named,” or “people call it.”

Example:

It’s called a dictionary.

The speaker is telling you the object’s name.

4. Can I use “it is called” instead of “it’s called”?

Yes. They have the same basic meaning.

It is called sounds slightly more formal or deliberate, while it’s called is extremely natural in everyday English.

Example:

It is called Project Planner.

It’s called Project Planner.

Both are correct.

5. Why do people confuse “it’s called” and “it called”?

The two expressions look and sound similar, particularly when spoken quickly. The apostrophe in it’s can also be difficult for learners to notice.

The best solution is to focus on meaning:

Name → it’s called

Calling action → it called

6. Is “its called” correct?

No, not when you mean “it is called.”

Use:

✅ It’s called a camera.

not:

❌ Its called a camera.

Its is possessive, as in:

The camera lost its lens.

7. Which form do native speakers use more often?

It’s called is much more common in ordinary conversation because people frequently need to identify names, products, places, concepts, apps, books, and other things.

It called appears only when “it” is actually performing the action of calling.

8. How can I remember the difference easily?

Use the It Is Test.

If you can expand it’s to it is, then the contraction is appropriate.

It’s called a museum.

becomes:

It is called a museum.

That works, so it’s called is correct.

Final Takeaway

The difference between “it’s called” and “it called” is straightforward once you focus on what the sentence means.

It’s called is the correct expression when you’re giving the name of something. It is short for “it is called” and is commonly used with people, places, objects, ideas, products, subjects, books, apps, and many other things.

It called is different. Here, called acts as the main verb, meaning that “it” made a call or contacted someone. For example, an alarm might call emergency services, or an application might call a phone.

And don’t forget its. Without the apostrophe, its shows possession rather than meaning “it is.”

When you’re unsure, use this simple formula:

It’s called = It is named.
It called = It made a call.
Its = Belonging to it.

That small distinction will help you avoid a surprisingly common English grammar mistake and make your writing much more precise.