Have you ever typed a sentence like “Its called a laptop” and wondered whether you need an apostrophe? You are not alone. Its called vs it called is a common confusion because these forms look and sound very similar when spoken quickly.
The problem becomes easier once you understand what the apostrophe does. In standard US English, “it’s called” is normally the correct form when you mean “it is called.” For example, “It’s called a smartphone” means “It is called a smartphone.”
By contrast, “it called” can also be grammatically correct, but it has a completely different structure and meaning. In “The machine called me,” the word called is the past-tense verb, and “the machine” is the subject. If you replace “the machine” with “it,” you get “It called me.”
So, the real comparison is not simply “its called vs it called.” The important question is whether you mean “it is called” or whether “it called” is the past action of something.
Let’s break down the difference in a simple way. Extensible vs Extendible | A Hilarious or An Hilarious | Any Problem vs Any Problems
Quick Answer: Its Called vs It Called
If you mean “it is called,” the correct form is “it’s called.”
- ✅ It’s called a smartphone.
- ❌ Its called a smartphone.
Here, it’s is short for it is. Merriam-Webster explains that it’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” while its shows possession or a relationship to something.
However, “it called” can be correct when it is the subject performing the action of calling.
- ✅ It called me yesterday.
- ✅ The alarm called my attention to the problem.
Therefore, the best rule is:
Use “it’s called” when you mean “it is called.” Use “it called” when “it” performed the past action of calling.
Understanding the Basics of Its Called vs It Called
The confusion usually comes from three forms:
- its
- it’s
- it
They may sound similar, but they do different jobs.
Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| its | Possessive determiner | Belonging to it | The dog wagged its tail. | ✅ Correct |
| it’s | Contraction | It is / it has | It’s called a taxi. | ✅ Correct |
| it | Pronoun | Refers to a thing, animal, idea, etc. | It called me yesterday. | ✅ Correct |
| its called | Incorrect construction for “it is called” | Usually intended to mean “it is called” | Its called a tablet. | ❌ Incorrect |
| it called | Pronoun + past-tense verb | It performed the action | It called me last night. | ✅ Correct |
The biggest mistake is using its when you actually need it’s.
For example:
❌ Its called a dictionary.
The writer usually means:
✅ It’s called a dictionary.
You can test the sentence by replacing it’s with it is:
It is called a dictionary.
The sentence still makes sense, so it’s is correct.
What Does “It’s Called” Mean?
“It’s called” means “it is called.”
It is used when you give the name, label, title, or common term for something.
For example:
- It’s called a keyboard.
- It’s called a shortcut.
- It’s called a preposition.
- It’s called a software update.
- It’s called a neighborhood market.
In each example, it’s represents it is.
Sentence Breakdown
Consider this sentence:
It’s called a smartphone.
The sentence can be expanded:
It is called a smartphone.
Here:
- It = subject
- is = linking/passive auxiliary verb
- called = past participle
- a smartphone = name or label being given
The apostrophe in it’s shows that letters have been omitted from it is.
Merriam-Webster specifically recommends using it’s only when you mean “it is” or “it has.”
More Examples
It’s called a deadline.
Meaning:
It is called a deadline.
Another example:
It’s called a shortcut because it saves time.
Expanded:
It is called a shortcut because it saves time.
This is why “its called” is incorrect when the intended meaning is “it is called.”
What Does “It Called” Mean?
“It called” is a different grammatical structure.
Here, called is the simple past form of the verb call. Merriam-Webster lists called as the past-tense form of call.
For example:
It called me yesterday.
This means that it performed the action of calling.
The sentence does not mean:
“It is called.”
Instead, it describes an event that happened in the past.
Examples of “It Called”
- It called me twice.
- It called again this morning.
- The phone rang, and it called automatically.
- The system called the number after the update.
The exact meaning depends on what it refers to.
Notice the difference:
It’s called a phone.
= It is called a phone.
It called me.
= It made a call to me.
These are completely different meanings.
Why “Its Called” Is Usually Incorrect
The word its is a possessive form. It indicates that something belongs to or is associated with something.
For example:
The company changed its logo.
Here, its shows possession or association.
The logo belongs to the company.
Other examples include:
- The cat cleaned its paws.
- The car lost its mirror.
- The company updated its website.
- The phone lost its signal.
- The tree dropped its leaves.
In all these examples, its comes before a noun or noun phrase.
That is very different from:
It’s called a phone.
Here, it’s means it is.
So:
❌ Its called a phone.
should normally be:
✅ It’s called a phone.
The missing apostrophe changes the grammatical function of the word.
It’s vs Its: The Key Rule
This is one of the most useful rules to remember.
Use “it’s” for “it is”
It’s cold today.
= It is cold today.
It’s called a sandwich.
= It is called a sandwich.
It’s difficult to explain.
= It is difficult to explain.
Use “it’s” for “it has”
It’s been a long day.
= It has been a long day.
It’s already started.
= It has already started.
Use “its” for possession
The dog found its toy.
Here, “its” means the toy belongs to the dog.
The company changed its policy.
Here, “its” refers to the company.
A useful test is to replace it’s with it is or it has. If the expanded sentence works, it’s is probably correct.
The Easy “It Is” Test
The fastest way to solve the its called vs it called confusion is the “it is” test.
Whenever you want to write its, stop and ask:
Can I replace it with it is?
If yes, use it’s.
For example:
It’s called English.
Try the test:
It is called English.
It works.
Therefore:
✅ It’s called English.
Now consider:
The phone lost its battery.
Try replacing its with it is:
❌ The phone lost it is battery.
That does not work.
Therefore:
✅ The phone lost its battery.
Test Tip
If “it is” or “it has” fits, use “it’s.” If the word shows possession, use “its.”
This simple test solves most its/it’s mistakes.
Grammar Rule: Why “It’s Called” Is Correct
The phrase “it’s called” uses a contraction and a passive construction.
The complete form is:
It is called.
English often uses contractions in everyday speech and writing:
- I am → I’m
- you are → you’re
- he is → he’s
- she is → she’s
- it is → it’s
- we are → we’re
- they are → they’re
Therefore:
It is called a laptop.
can become:
It’s called a laptop.
The apostrophe represents omitted letters.
Merriam-Webster describes it’s as a contraction of it is or it has.
The Cambridge Dictionary gives the same basic distinction: it’s is the contracted form of “it is” or “it has,” while its is a possessive determiner.
Understanding the Passive Structure “It Is Called”
The phrase “it is called” is also an example of the passive voice.
Compare:
People call it a smartphone.
and:
It is called a smartphone.
The first sentence focuses on people doing the calling.
The second focuses on it, the thing receiving the name or label.
The contracted form is:
It’s called a smartphone.
This structure is extremely common in English.
Examples
- It’s called a keyboard.
- It’s called a compound word.
- It’s called a deadline.
- It’s called a business plan.
- It’s called a grammar rule.
- It’s called a shortcut.
These sentences all mean that something has a particular name or description.
Case Study: A Workplace Conversation
Imagine an employee is learning how to use new software.
The employee asks:
“What is this feature called?”
A coworker responds:
“It’s called the quick-search tool.”
That is correct because the full sentence is:
It is called the quick-search tool.
Now imagine a different situation.
The employee says:
“Why did the phone ring?”
The coworker says:
“It called me twice this morning.”
Here, it called is a past-tense construction.
The meanings are different:
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| It’s called the quick-search tool. | Its name is the quick-search tool. |
| It called me twice. | It made two calls to me. |
This workplace example shows why punctuation and sentence structure matter.
Common Mistakes With Its, It’s, and It Called
Many writers make these mistakes because the words sound nearly identical.
Mistake 1: “Its called”
❌ Its called a notebook.
Correct:
✅ It’s called a notebook.
Why?
Because the intended meaning is:
It is called a notebook.
Mistake 2: “It’s” for possession
❌ The company changed it’s logo.
Correct:
✅ The company changed its logo.
Here, the logo belongs to the company, so its is needed.
Mistake 3: Confusing “it called” with “it’s called”
It called me yesterday.
This is correct if it actually made the call.
But:
It’s called a telephone.
is correct when you are giving the object’s name.
Do not choose between them based only on how they sound. Look at the meaning.
Similar Grammar Confusions
The its vs it’s problem is part of a larger group of common English mistakes.
| Confusion | Correct Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| its / it’s | Possession vs it is/has | The dog hurt its paw. / It’s hurt. |
| your / you’re | Possession vs you are | Your phone is here. / You’re early. |
| their / they’re | Possession vs they are | Their car is new. / They’re ready. |
| there / their / they’re | Place, possession, they are | They’re over there with their bags. |
| whose / who’s | Possession vs who is | Whose book is this? / Who’s there? |
| then / than | Time/result vs comparison | We ate, then left. / She is taller than me. |
These mistakes happen because English contains many words that sound alike or almost alike.
Why People Write “Its Called”
There are several common reasons.
Fast Typing
When people type quickly, they may leave out apostrophes.
For example:
Its called…
can appear because the writer is focused on speed rather than punctuation.
Autocorrect
Phones and keyboards sometimes change words automatically. A writer may not notice the change.
Lack of Grammar Knowledge
Some learners do not know that it’s is a contraction of it is.
They may assume that the apostrophe works like the possessive apostrophe in:
Sarah’s book
But its is a special possessive form.
Similar Pronunciation
In normal speech, its and it’s sound the same.
That makes the difference harder to notice when listening.
The distinction is mainly visible in writing.
Usage in Everyday Conversation
In everyday conversation, “it’s called” is extremely natural.
Examples:
What’s that food called?
It’s called a burrito.
Another example:
What do you call this tool?
It’s called a wrench.
You can also use the full form:
It is called a wrench.
The full version is grammatically correct, but the contraction usually sounds more natural in casual conversation.
Usage in Professional Writing
Professional writing requires extra attention to correct apostrophes.
For example:
❌ Its called the annual performance review.
Better:
✅ It’s called the annual performance review.
In a report, email, presentation, or business document, a missing apostrophe can make the writing look careless.
However, remember that its is perfectly professional when used correctly:
The company announced its new policy.
Here, its is necessary because it shows that the policy belongs to or is associated with the company.
Usage in Creative Writing
Creative writers may use contractions to make dialogue sound natural.
For example:
“What’s that place?”
“It’s called the old market.”
The contraction makes the dialogue feel conversational.
In more formal narration, the writer may choose:
It is called the old market.
Both are grammatically correct. The choice depends on tone and style.
Usage in Social Media and Texting
Social media and texting often contain shortened or informal forms.
You may see:
its called…
instead of:
it’s called…
This does not make the incorrect version standard English.
If you are writing a casual message to a friend, people may understand what you mean. But for school, work, blogging, websites, professional communication, or published writing, use the standard form:
It’s called…
Digital writing still benefits from correct grammar because readers can judge clarity and professionalism quickly.
Why This Difference Matters
At first, the apostrophe in it’s may seem like a tiny detail. But tiny details can make a big difference in written communication.
Clarity
Correct punctuation helps readers understand the intended meaning.
Compare:
It’s called a grammar guide.
with:
Its called a grammar guide.
The second sentence may be understandable, but it contains a standard punctuation error.
Professionalism
Correct grammar makes emails, articles, reports, and business messages look more polished.
Digital Communication
Online readers often scan content quickly. Clear grammar helps them understand your meaning without stopping to interpret the sentence.
Accuracy
English has many small distinctions that carry grammatical meaning.
As Merriam-Webster explains, modern English clearly distinguishes it’s from its, even though their histories are closely connected.
Small punctuation marks can make a big difference in meaning.
Special Exception: When “It Called” Is Correct
There is an important exception to remember.
“It called” is not wrong.
It is completely grammatical when it is the subject and called is a past-tense verb.
For example:
The machine called me.
Replace “the machine” with “it”:
It called me.
That is correct.
Another example:
The automated system called three customers.
You can say:
It called three customers.
Again, called is a verb describing an action.
So do not assume that every sentence containing it called needs an apostrophe.
The correct choice depends on meaning.
“It’s Called” vs “It Called” Examples
Here are several side-by-side examples.
Example 1
It’s called a dictionary.
Meaning:
It is called a dictionary.
Example 2
It called me yesterday.
Meaning:
It made a call to me yesterday.
Example 3
It’s called a shortcut.
Meaning:
It is called a shortcut.
Example 4
It called the wrong number.
Meaning:
It made a call to the wrong number.
Example 5
It’s called artificial intelligence.
Meaning:
It is called artificial intelligence.
The difference becomes clear when you expand it’s to it is.
A Simple Memory Trick
Here is an easy way to remember the rule:
“It’s” has an apostrophe because letters are missing.
it’s = it is
or
it’s = it has
Examples:
It’s raining.
It is raining.
It’s finished.
It has finished.
“Its” has no apostrophe because it shows possession.
Examples:
The dog wagged its tail.
The company updated its website.
Think:
its = belonging to it
and:
it’s = it is / it has
This trick works in most standard English sentences.
Quick Recap Checklist
Use this checklist whenever you are unsure.
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Do you mean “it is”? | it’s |
| Do you mean “it has”? | it’s |
| Are you showing possession or association? | its |
| Is it performing an action in the past? | it called |
| Are you giving something a name or label? | it’s called |
| Can you replace “it’s” with “it is”? | it’s |
Practice Examples
1. ___ called a smartphone.
Answer:
✅ It’s called a smartphone.
Why? “It is called a smartphone” works.
2. The automated service ___ me yesterday.
Answer:
✅ It called me yesterday.
Why? The word “called” describes a past action.
3. The phone lost ___ signal.
Answer:
✅ its
Why? The signal is associated with the phone.
Practice: Choose the Correct Form
Try these before checking the answers.
Question 1
___ called a shortcut because it saves time.
Correct answer:
It’s
Full sentence:
It’s called a shortcut because it saves time.
Question 2
The computer ___ me with an automated message.
Correct answer:
It called
The computer performed the action.
Question 3
The company changed ___ name.
Correct answer:
its
The name belongs to or is associated with the company.
Question 4
___ been a difficult week.
Correct answer:
It’s
This means:
It has been a difficult week.
Question 5
The dog lifted ___ head.
Correct answer:
its
The head belongs to the dog.
FAQs
1. Is “its called” correct?
No, not when you mean “it is called.” The standard form is “it’s called.”
For example:
❌ Its called a computer.
✅ It’s called a computer.
2. Is “it’s called” correct?
Yes. “It’s called” is correct when it’s means “it is.”
For example:
It’s called a laptop.
This means:
It is called a laptop.
Merriam-Webster confirms that it’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.”
3. Can “it called” be correct?
Yes. “It called” is correct when called is the past-tense verb.
For example:
It called me yesterday.
Here, it performed the action.
4. What is the difference between “its” and “it’s”?
Its shows possession or association.
The dog wagged its tail.
It’s means “it is” or “it has.”
It’s a friendly dog.
This distinction is also recognized by Cambridge Dictionary and Merriam-Webster.
5. Is “it’s called” formal English?
Yes. “It’s called” is grammatically correct standard English. The contraction is common in everyday and professional writing when the context allows contractions.
For especially formal writing, you may choose:
It is called…
instead of:
It’s called…
Both are grammatically correct.
6. How can I quickly remember whether to use “its” or “it’s”?
Use the “it is” test.
If you can replace the word with “it is” or “it has,” use “it’s.”
If the word shows possession or association, use “its.”
For example:
It’s called a book.
→ It is called a book. ✅
But:
The book lost its cover.
→ The book lost it is cover. ❌
Therefore, its is correct.
Conclusion
The confusion between its called vs it called becomes much easier once you identify the intended meaning.
When you want to say that something has a particular name or label, use “it’s called.” This is short for “it is called.”
✅ It’s called a smartphone.
Do not write:
❌ Its called a smartphone.
The form its is possessive, as in:
The smartphone lost its signal.
Meanwhile, “it called” can be completely correct when called is the past-tense verb and it performed the action:
It called me yesterday.
The most useful test is simple: replace it’s with it is or it has. If the sentence still works, it’s is probably the right choice. If you are showing possession, use its.
Remember the core rule:
It’s = it is / it has.
Its = belonging to it.
It called = it performed the past action of calling.
Once you learn this small distinction, you will never need to guess again. When the meaning is “it is called,” write “it’s called.”
Hi, I’m Andrew Bennett, a grammar enthusiast and content writer at Gramcora. I enjoy simplifying complex grammar rules and helping readers improve their English writing skills through clear, practical, and easy-to-follow guides.
