Its Called vs It Called: Which Is Correct? Meaning & Examples

Introduction

Have you ever typed “Its Called” or “it called” and then stopped because the sentence did not look quite right?

You are not alone. However, they have different grammatical functions and can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

But “it called” can also be grammatically correct when called is the past-tense verb describing an action:

• The phone called me yesterday. ✅
• The technician called the technician. ✅

So, the real distinction is not simply “which spelling is correct?” It is about what you are trying to say.

Its Called vs It Called: Quick Answer

If you want to name or identify something, use:

It’s called ✅

If you are describing something that performed the action of calling in the past, use:

It called ✅

Form	Correct?	Main meaning	Example
It’s called	✅	It is called	It’s called a telescope.
It is called	✅	Full form of “it’s called”	It is called a telescope.
It called	✅ in context	It performed a calling action	It called me yesterday.
Its called	❌ for “it is called”	Incorrect contraction	It’s called a telescope.
Its	✅	Belonging or relating to it	The dog wagged its tail.
It’s	✅	It is / it has	It’s called a telescope.

Leading competing pages agree on the core distinction, but they often stop with a basic explanation.

Is “It’s Called” Correct?

The correct contraction is:

it is → it’s

Therefore:

It’s called a camera. ✅

means:

It is called a camera.

But:

It’s called a camera. ❌

does not correctly represent the contraction it is.

Cambridge Dictionary explains that an apostrophe marks omitted letters in contractions, including “it is” → “it’s.”
It also specifically distinguishes its, which does not use an apostrophe when showing possession.

Merriam-Webster gives the same modern distinction: it’s is a contraction of it is or it has, while its indicates something belonging Its Called vs It Called or relating to it.

What Does “It’s Called” Mean?

People normally use it to tell someone the name, label, title, term, or description of something.

Examples:

• People call it a smartphone.
• Scientists call it photosynthesis.
• People call it a telescope.
• People call it the main entrance.
• Experts call it artificial intelligence.
• Grammarians call it a compound sentence.

In each example, it means it is.

“It’s Called” Sentence Pattern

A useful pattern is:

It + is + called + name

Shortened:

It’s called + name

Both sentences have essentially the same meaning.

The apostrophe is important because it tells the reader that it is a contraction.

What Does “It Called” Mean?

“It called” is a different grammatical construction.

Here:

• it = subject
• called = simple past verb

The subject is performing the action of calling.

For example:

It called me yesterday.

Other examples include:

• The technician called the technician.
• The system called the emergency number.
• The phone called me twice.
• The alarm called the security team.
• The bird called from the tree.

Here, called describes an action rather than a name.

The Basic Pattern

Subject + called + object

Example:

It called me.

Breakdown:

• It = subject
• called = past-tense verb
• me = object

Compare that with:

It’s called a phone.

Here:

• it’s = it is
• called = past participle
• a phone = name or complement

The structures are completely different.

“What is it called?”

The easiest question to ask yourself is:

Am I giving something a name, or am I describing an action?

You are identifying the name of something.

Use “It Called” for a Past Action

It called me last night.

You are describing something that performed the action of calling.

Side-by-Side Comparison

It’s called	It called
Means it is called	Uses called as a past-tense verb
Usually identifies a name	Describes a past action
Contains a contraction	Contains no contraction
Passive construction	Active construction
It’s called a tablet.	It called me yesterday.

This is the central distinction to remember.

Its vs It’s: What Is the Difference?

The biggest source of confusion is actually its vs it’s.

It’s = It Is or It Has

It’s is a contraction.

It can mean:

• it is
• it has

Examples:

It’s cold.

= It is cold.

It’s been a long day.

= It has been a long day.

Merriam-Webster confirms that modern standard English uses it’s for it is or it has.

Its = Possessive

Its without an apostrophe indicates that something belongs or relates to it.

Examples:

The cat cleaned its paws.

The company changed its logo.

The phone lost its signal.

The tree lost its leaves.

You cannot expand it to it in these sentences.

For example:

The cat cleaned its paws. ❌

Therefore:

The cat cleaned its paws. ✅

The “It Is” Test: The Easiest Memory Trick

Example 1

It’s called a bicycle.

Replace it:

It is called a bicycle.

The sentence works.

So:

It’s called a bicycle. ✅

Example 2

The bicycle has its own basket.

Replace its:

The bicycle has its own basket. ❌

That does not work.

So:

The bicycle has its own basket. ✅

Cambridge and Merriam-Webster support Its Called vs It Called this simple test through their standard grammar explanations.

• Explore More: https://meanivos.com/dieing-vs-dying/

When Is “It Called” Correct?

1. A Phone Made a Call

The phone called me at midnight.

2. A Machine Contacted Someone

The security system is called the monitoring centre.

3. An Automated System Made a Call

The software called the number automatically.

4. Something Summoned Someone

The alarm called the staff into the room.

5. An Animal Made a Call or Sound

The bird called from the tree.

In all these examples, Called is a past-tense verb.

Can You Use “It Called” to Name Something?

Normally, no.

Suppose you want to tell someone the name of an object.

Correct:

It’s called a stapler. ✅

Incorrect for that intended meaning:

It is called a stapler. ❌

Compare:

❌ It called a triangle.

And:

❌ It called photosynthesis.

And:

❌ It called a smartphone.

The missing part changes the grammatical structure.

“How Is It Called?” vs “What Is It Called?”

when they want to ask for the name of something.

Examples:

❌ How is that flower called?

✅ What is that flower called?

The difference is semantic:

• what asks for the identity or name
• how generally asks about manner, method, condition, or process

Common Mistakes With Its, It’s, and It Called

Mistake 1: Writing “Its Called”

❌ Its called a laptop.

✅ It’s called a laptop.

The intended meaning is:

Mistake 2: Using “It Called” to Introduce a Name

❌ It called a laptop.

The first sentence does not provide the intended naming structure.

Mistake 3: Using “It’s” for Possession

❌ The company updated it’s website.

✅ The company updated its website.

Here, “it” indicates that the website belongs to or represents the company.

Mistake 4: Assuming Every Apostrophe Shows Possession

An apostrophe can also indicate a contraction.

Examples:

• it’s = it is
• don’t = do not
• can’t = cannot
• we’re = we are

Cambridge specifically notes that apostrophes Its Called vs It Called can indicate letters omitted in contractions.

Why Do People Write “It’s Called”?

The same kind of confusion happens with other commonly confused forms:

• your / you’re
• their / there / they’re
• whose / who’s
• its / it’s

The solution is to focus on the grammatical function, not only the pronunciation.

It’s Called vs It Called vs Its Called

This three-way comparison makes the issue particularly clear.

Phrase	Status	Explanation
It’s called	✅ Correct	Means “it is called”
It called	✅ Correct in context	Describes a past calling action
Its called	❌ Incorrect for “it is called”	Missing apostrophe
Its	✅ Correct	Possessive form
It’s	✅ Correct	Contraction of “it is” or “it has”

Examples:

It’s called a violin. ✅

You are giving the name.

It called me yesterday. ✅

20 Examples of “It’s Called”

1. People call it a smartphone.
2. People call it a dictionary.
3. People call it a microscope.
4. People call it the main entrance.
5. People call it renewable energy.
6. People call it the water cycle.
7. Scientists call it photosynthesis.
8. Writers call it a metaphor.
9. Teachers call it a compound sentence.
10. People call it a telescope.
11. People call it the Northern Lights.
12. People call it a shortcut.
13. Experts call it artificial intelligence.
14. People call it a password manager.
15. People call it a rain gauge.
16. Users call it a keyboard shortcut.
17. Researchers call it a hypothesis.
18. Geographers call it a peninsula.
19. Grammarians call it a contraction.
20. Grammar experts call it the passive voice.

15 Examples of “It Called”

Here are examples where called describes a past action:

1. The phone called me yesterday.
2. The system called the technician.
3. The alarm called the security team.
4. The machine called the service centre.
5. The device called the emergency number.
6. The office called me this morning.
7. The automated system called twice.
8. The bird called from the tree.
9. The child called for his mother.
10. The manager called the customer.
11. The computer called the server.
12. The application is called the API.
13. The robot called the control centre.
14. The witness called the police.
15. The system called for additional support.

In each example, called is functioning as a past-tense verb.

People Also Ask

Final Verdict

The Difference becomes easy when you separate the three forms:

It called = it performed a calling action → use it for a past action. 

The best memory trick is the “it is” test.

If you can replace it’s with it is, keep the apostrophe:

The camera has its own case. 

If you are describing a past calling action, it called may be correct:

The camera system called the technician.