It’s Called vs It Called vs Its Called: The Complete Guide

You’ve probably paused for a second while writing and wondered whether to type it’s called, its called, or it called. The words look almost identical, yet one tiny apostrophe decides whether your sentence is correct or confusing. It’s the kind of detail that slips through even careful writing.

This confusion is not about intelligence. It comes from how English compresses meaning in speech and then expands it again in writing. When spoken, it’s called and its called sounds nearly the same. Your brain hears one version, your fingers sometimes type another, and the mistake quietly lands on the page.

Once you understand what each form actually does inside a sentence, the uncertainty fades fast. The rules are simpler than they look, and they rely more on meaning than memorization. This guide clears that fog so you can choose the right form quickly and confidently every time.

Read More: Soo vs So: The Real Difference

Quick Reference Cheat Sheet: It’s vs Its vs It Called

Before diving deep, here is a simple snapshot you can rely on anytime.

Form	Type	Meaning	Correct Usage
It’s called	Contraction	It is called	✔ Correct (most cases)
It called	Active voice (rare)	Something performed action	✔ Only in specific contexts
Its called	Incorrect structure	Missing apostrophe/verb	✘ Usually wrong
Its	Possessive pronoun	Belonging to it	✔ Correct in other contexts

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

“It’s called” = correct naming expression in most situations.

The Core Rule: Why “It’s Called” Is Usually Correct

What “it’s” really means

The word “it’s” is a contraction. It stands for:

• it is
• or sometimes it has

So when you say:

• It’s called a smartphone

You are actually saying:

• It is called a smartphone

Why this structure exists

English often shortens common phrases to make speech faster. Contractions make communication smoother without changing meaning.

Examples:

• it is → it’s
• do not → don’t
• I am → I’m

Why “it’s called” works grammatically

Naming something uses passive structure:

• Subject = thing being named
• Verb = “is called”
• Name = description

Example:

• It is called gravity.
• It is called a laptop.

This structure is standard in English naming conventions.

Why “It Called” Sounds Wrong (Most of the Time)

Missing helping verb problem

English does not usually allow a verb to directly follow “it” in this structure.

Incorrect:

• It called gravity

Correct:

• It is called gravity

What “it called” actually means (rare cases)

In some contexts, “it called” is valid, but the meaning changes completely.

Example:

• It called for help.

Here:

• “it” = subject
• “called” = active verb

This is not naming. It is an action.

Technology exception

Sometimes devices or systems “call” something in programming or logic contexts.

Example:

• The system called the function automatically.

But this is not the same as naming something.

The Possessive Pronoun “Its” (No Apostrophe Rule)

Why “its” has no apostrophe

This is one of the most misunderstood rules in English.

• its = possession
• it’s = it is

Unlike most possessives, “its” never uses an apostrophe.

Why English breaks its own apostrophe pattern

Most possessives use apostrophes:

• John’s book
• Sarah’s car

But pronouns behave differently:

• his
• hers
• theirs
• its

They are already complete forms.

Correct examples of “its”

• The dog wagged its tail.
• The company updated its policy.
• The phone lost its battery power.

Why “Its Called” Is Usually Incorrect

Missing verb structure

“Its called” usually fails because it lacks a verb.

Incorrect:

• Its called gravity

Correct:

• It’s called gravity

Why it happens so often

Three main reasons:

• Fast typing
• Autocorrect errors
• Mishearing spoken English

Real-world frequency

Linguistic studies on online writing show that apostrophe-related errors account for over 20% of common grammar mistakes in informal digital communication.

Grammar Deep Dive: Contractions vs Possessives

The apostrophe trap

Apostrophes in English create confusion because they serve two jobs:

• contraction (it’s = it is)
• possession (John’s = belonging to John)

But “its” breaks the pattern intentionally.

Comparison table

Word	Type	Example
it’s	contraction	It’s called a phone
its	possessive	The phone lost its battery
it	subject	It works fine

Why “It’s Called” Uses Passive Voice

What passive voice means

Passive voice focuses on the object, not the doer.

Active:

• People call it gravity.

Passive:

• It is called gravity.

Why naming uses passive structure

We usually care about the name, not who gave it.

Examples:

• It’s called a laptop.
• It’s called democracy.
• It’s called inflation.

The naming agent is irrelevant.

Real-World Usage Examples

Everyday conversation

• “What is this?”
• “It’s called turmeric.”

Business context

• “This system is called automated billing.”

Academic context

• “This phenomenon is called cognitive bias.”

Technology context

• “This function is called automatically during execution.”

Case Study: How One Apostrophe Changes Meaning

Email mistake example

Incorrect email line:

Its called a meeting schedule system.

Reader confusion:

• Is “its” possession?
• Is something missing?

Correct version:

It’s called a meeting schedule system.

Impact

A simple apostrophe error can:

• Reduce credibility
• Create misunderstanding
• Make writing look unpolished

Common Mistakes Writers Make

Confusing “it’s” and “its”

Most frequent error in English writing.

Using “its called”

Missing verb structure causes grammatical breakdown.

Overcorrecting apostrophes

Some writers add apostrophes everywhere incorrectly:

• Incorrect: the cat’s ate its food’s

Ignoring sentence context

Grammar depends on meaning, not just spelling.

Decision Framework: Choose the Right Form in 3 Seconds

Step 1: Expand the contraction

• If you mean “it is” → use it’s

Step 2: Check possession

• If something belongs to it → use its

Step 3: Check verb structure

• If “called” is an action → adjust sentence entirely

Visual Grammar Guide (Simple Logic Flow)

Do you mean “it is”? → Use it’s

Do you show possession? → Use its

Is “called” an action? → Use it called (rare)

Memory Tricks That Actually Work

The apostrophe test

Replace “it’s” with:

• it is

If the sentence still makes sense → correct.

The possession test

Ask:

• Does it belong to something?

If yes → use its

Quick visual trick

• it’s = it has an apostrophe (it is)
• its = no apostrophe (possession stays tight)

Formal vs Informal Writing Usage

Informal writing

• It’s called a phone
• Very common in speech and blogs

Formal writing

• It is called a phone
• Preferred in academic writing

Key difference

Both are correct. Only tone changes.

Practice Sentences

Fill in the blank

1. ___ called a laptop.
2. The dog wagged ___ tail.
3. ___ called gravity.

Answers

1. It’s
2. its
3. It’s

Expert Insight: Why This Mistake Persists

Linguists explain this confusion through sound-symbol mismatch.

• Spoken English: no apostrophe sound
• Written English: punctuation changes meaning

This disconnect causes long-term errors even among native speakers.

Quick Reference Tables

It’s vs Its vs It Called

Form	Meaning	Correct?
It’s called	It is called	✔ Yes
Its called	missing verb	✘ No
It called	action context only	✔ Rare

Final Verdict: It’s Called vs It Called vs Its Called

Here is the simplest truth:

• It’s called → correct naming structure
• It called → only correct in rare action-based sentences
• Its called → usually incorrect due to missing structure

If you are naming something, the correct choice is almost always:

It’s called

FAQs

1. What does “it’s called” actually mean?
“It’s called” means “it is called” and is used when naming or identifying something. For example, “It’s called gravity.”

2. Is “its called” ever correct in English?
No. “Its called” is almost always incorrect because it misses the verb “is,” making the sentence grammatically incomplete.

3. When can I use “it called” correctly?
“It called” is only correct when “called” is an action, not for naming. For example, “It called for help.”

4. What is the difference between “it’s” and “its”?
“It’s” is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.” “Its” is a possessive pronoun meaning something belongs to it.

5. Why do people confuse “it’s” and “its” so often?
Because they sound identical in speech, and fast typing often leads to missing or adding the apostrophe incorrectly.

6. Is “it is called” better than “it’s called”?
Both are correct. “It is called” sounds more formal, while “it’s called” is more natural in everyday writing.

7. How can I quickly remember the correct form?
If you can replace it with “it is called,” then use “it’s called.” If it shows ownership, use “its.”

Conclusion

The confusion between it’s called, its called, and it called comes down to one simple issue: English looks similar on the surface but behaves very differently underneath. A single apostrophe changes meaning, structure, and correctness in ways that are easy to miss when you’re writing quickly.

Once you separate the roles clearly, the rule becomes easy to follow. Use it’s called when you mean it is called. Use its only when showing possession. And treat it called as a rare structure that works only when “called” is an action, not a naming phrase.

With that clarity, you don’t need to guess anymore. You just match meaning to structure. That small habit makes your writing cleaner, more accurate, and easier for readers to trust.