If you’ve paused while typing and thought about It’s Called vs It Called: you’re not alone; I’ve seen this headline confusion before in emails and work, where the caption reads one way but says something slightly different, and the tiny difference in structure or tense can shift the meaning entirely.
Adding or dropping an apostrophe alters grammar and understanding of the sentence, and knowing when to use it’s called versus it called builds confidence in speech, everyday communication, and writing; I often break it down for learners in plain, friendly, language so it prevents mistakes, complicates issues, and helps fix everything quickly.
From experience, the key trick is to guide your practice with consistent examples and pay close attention to how it’s called names something while it called describes an action; this settle once for all doubts, helping learners, readers, and writers gain mastery of changes, shifts, and structure, with instructions that make grammar nitpicking less intimidating and correct, sounding, natural speech and writing flow smoothly.
It’s Called vs It Called: Quick Clarity Before the Deep Dive
Before we go technical, lock in this comparison.
| Phrase | Correct? | Meaning | Structure |
| It’s called | ✅ Yes | It is called | Contraction + passive construction |
| It called | ⚠️ Rare | It performed the action of calling | Past tense verb |
| Its called | ❌ No | Grammatically broken | Missing apostrophe |
| Its name | ✅ Yes | Possessive pronoun | Ownership |
If you can replace it with “it is called”, then you need the apostrophe.
That one test solves most confusion instantly.
But let’s go deeper. Because understanding structure eliminates doubt.
Understanding “It’s Called” — What You’re Actually Saying
When you write:
It’s called emotional intelligence.
You’re really saying:
It is called emotional intelligence.
Break it apart:
- It — pronoun
- Is — linking verb
- Called — past participle
This forms a passive construction used for naming or identifying something.
You’re not describing an action. You’re assigning a label.
Why Writers Use “It’s Called”
You use it when:
- Defining terms
- Explaining concepts
- Introducing terminology
- Naming phenomena
- Clarifying jargon
For example:
- It’s called supply and demand.
- It’s called cognitive bias.
- It’s called inflation when prices rise consistently over time.
Notice something subtle.
In all these sentences, the focus is the concept — not who named it.
That’s why this construction works. It keeps attention on the subject being defined.
How “It’s Called” Functions in Different Contexts
Everyday Conversation
You say:
It’s called being responsible.
It’s called planning ahead.
You’re labeling behavior.
Academic Writing
You write:
It’s called the Hawthorne effect when individuals modify behavior due to observation.
Here, precision matters. A missing apostrophe weakens credibility instantly.
Business Communication
In professional settings:
It’s called a scalable model.
It’s called recurring revenue.
Clarity builds trust. Sloppy grammar reduces authority.
The Structure Behind “It’s Called”
Let’s examine the grammar.
Sentence pattern:
Subject + Linking Verb + Past Participle
This construction functions as a passive voice identification tool.
It answers the question:
What is this known as?
It doesn’t describe action. It assigns classification.
That’s the key.
Why “It Called” Usually Fails
Now shift to the other side of “it’s called vs it called.”
Look at this sentence:
It called.
Grammatically? Fine.
Practically? Weak and incomplete.
Why?
Because “called” is now a simple past tense action verb.
You’re saying something by performing the action of calling.
But calling what?
Most verbs need objects.
Consider:
- It called the manager.
- It called for help.
- It called the emergency line automatically.
Without an object or additional phrase, the sentence feels unfinished.
Now compare:
It called innovation when markets shifted.
That doesn’t work.
Correct version:
It’s called innovation when markets shift.
See the difference?
One describes action.
The other defines terminology.
When “It Called” Is Actually Correct
There are valid uses.
Example:
The system malfunctioned and it called the technician automatically.
That sentence works because:
- The verb has an object
- The action is clear
- The structure is complete
So “it called” isn’t wrong by itself.
It’s just wrong when someone means to write “it’s called.”
That’s where writers stumble.
The Silent Third Player: “Its” Without an Apostrophe
Now things get interesting.
“Its” without an apostrophe signals possession.
Just like:
- His
- Her
- Their
Examples:
- The company changed its strategy.
- The dog wagged its tail.
- The engine lost its efficiency.
Notice something important:
Possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes.
Not his’. Not hers’. Not theirs’. Not its’.
Yet people constantly write:
The company changed it’s strategy.
That expands to:
The company changed it is strategy.
It doesn’t make sense.
That’s your red flag.
Why This Confusion Happens So Often
The battle of “it’s called vs it called” connects directly to confusion around “its.”
Here’s why mistakes happen.
Apostrophe Habit
Most possessives use apostrophes.
- Sarah’s laptop
- The teacher’s desk
- The company’s profits
So your brain expects the same pattern.
But pronouns break that rule.
Autocorrect Interference
Devices automatically change “its” to “it’s.”
Writers often don’t notice.
Speed Typing
When you type fast, you write what you hear.
And “its” sounds identical to “it’s.”
Sound tricks you. Structure saves you.
Side-by-Side Structural Comparison
Here’s where clarity sharpens.
| Version | Meaning | Verb Type | Complete? |
| It’s called gravity. | It is called gravity. | Linking verb + participle | Yes |
| It called gravity. | It performed calling gravity. | Action verb | No (incomplete meaning) |
| Its gravity increased. | Possessive pronoun | No verb issue | Yes |
| It’s gravity increased. | It is gravity increased. | Grammatically broken | No |
When you see them together, the difference becomes obvious.
Real-World Case Study: Marketing Headline Disaster
A startup once launched with this headline:
Its called disruption.
Investors noticed immediately.
The company corrected it within hours.
That one missing apostrophe made the brand look careless.
Grammar errors in public-facing content signal:
- Lack of detail orientation
- Weak editorial oversight
- Inconsistent professionalism
Small mistakes cause disproportionate damage.
Psychological Impact of Grammar Accuracy
Readers rarely say:
That apostrophe error bothered me.
Instead, they feel uncertainty.
Studies in digital credibility show that surface-level writing errors reduce trust perception significantly, even when the content is strong.
Clear grammar does three things:
- Builds authority
- Signals intelligence
- Reduces friction
Clean structure lets ideas shine.
How to Instantly Know Which Version to Use
Use this simple substitution method.
Replace “it’s” with “it is.”
If the sentence still works, keep the apostrophe.
Example:
It’s called leverage.
Replace: It is called leverage.
Correct.
Now test:
The company changed it’s logo.
Replace: The company changed it is logo.
Incorrect.
Correct version:
The company changed its logo.
This test works every time.
Deeper Grammar Insight: Passive vs Active Meaning
Let’s dig further.
“It’s called” uses passive structure because the naming source doesn’t matter.
Example:
It’s called artificial intelligence.
Who named it? Not important.
Now compare active structure:
Scientists call it artificial intelligence.
Active voice emphasizes the actor.
Passive voice emphasizes the label.
Understanding this distinction helps you write intentionally.
Everyday Examples of It’s Called vs It Called
Correct Usage
- It’s called compound interest.
- It’s called emotional regulation.
- It’s called strategic thinking.
Correct Action Use
- The app crashed and it called support automatically.
- The alarm triggered and it called emergency services.
Incorrect Usage
- Its called progress.
- It called progress when demand rises.
Errors break flow immediately.
Business and Technical Examples
In corporate writing, clarity matters even more.
Correct:
- It’s called a SaaS model.
- The platform updated its interface.
- It’s called market capitalization.
Incorrect:
- Its called market cap.
- It’s interface has improved.
One apostrophe can make technical writing look amateur.
Academic and Scientific Writing
Scholars rely on precision.
Correct examples:
- It’s called the placebo effect.
- It’s called photosynthesis.
- The organism adapts to its environment.
Incorrect forms weaken credibility instantly.
When writing research papers, grammar errors reduce perceived rigor.
Memory Aids That Actually Work
Forget gimmicks. Use logic.
Memory Rule
If you mean it is, write it’s.
If you mean ownership, write its.
If you mean action, ensure the verb has an object.
Quick Mental Check
Ask:
- Am I naming something? → It’s called
- Am I describing possession? → Its
- Am I describing an action? → It called + object
Three questions. No confusion.
Practice Table: Spot the Correct Version
| Sentence | Correct? |
| Its called innovation. | ❌ |
| It’s called innovation. | ✅ |
| It called the client. | ✅ |
| The system changed it’s configuration. | ❌ |
| The system changed its configuration. | ✅ |
Testing yourself reinforces accuracy.
Why Precision Elevates Your Writing
Grammar isn’t decoration.
It’s infrastructure.
When your foundation is strong:
- Your arguments feel sharper
- Your authority increases
- Your credibility strengthens
Readers trust writers who respect detail.
And mastering “it’s called vs it called” signals that respect immediately.
Common Pitfalls You Should Eliminate Today
Avoid these mistakes:
- Writing “its called” in headlines
- Letting autocorrect override your intention
- Forgetting to proofread captions
- Using incomplete past tense verbs
- Assuming apostrophes always signal possession
Clean these up and your writing improves overnight.
Advanced Tip: When to Avoid “It’s Called” Altogether
Sometimes stronger writing avoids passive phrasing.
Instead of:
It’s called strategic positioning.
Write:
Experts call it strategic positioning.
Active voice feels sharper.
Use passive structure when naming matters more than the namer.
Be intentional.
Conclusion
Understanding It’s Called vs It Called: is essential for clear and natural English. While the difference may seem small, it affects grammar, meaning, and confidence in both speech and writing. It’s called is used to name or label something, while it called describes an action in the past. By paying attention to structure, tense, and context, learners can prevent confusion, mistakes, and improve communication. Practicing consistently, reading aloud, and using examples in everyday life ensures mastery and helps your English sound confident, precise, and natural.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main difference between “It’s Called” and “It Called”?
It’s Called introduces a name or label (e.g., “It’s called a stapler”), while It Called is a past tense verb describing an action (e.g., “It called me yesterday”).
Q2. Can “It Called” ever be used to name something?
No, It Called cannot introduce names or labels; it always refers to an action in the past.
Q3. Is “It’s Called” grammatically correct in all situations?
It’s Called is correct when labeling or naming things, concepts, techniques, or objects. Using it as a past tense verb would be wrong.
Q4. How do contractions affect “It’s Called” vs “It Called”?
The apostrophe in It’s Called stands for “is.” Dropping it changes meaning: without the contraction, the phrase becomes incorrect for labeling.
Q5. Why do English learners often confuse these phrases?
The phrases look similar, and learners may pause or mistype, forgetting the subtle tense and structure differences, leading to confusion in writing and speaking.
Q6. Can native speakers make this mistake too?
Yes, even native speakers sometimes mix them up, especially in fast writing, emails, or casual speech. Awareness and practice prevent repeated errors.
Q7. What’s a quick tip to remember the difference?
If you’re naming or labelling something, use It’s Called. If you’re describing an action that happened, use It Called. Reading aloud often helps spot errors.
Q8. How can practice help in mastering these phrases?
Regular practice using examples, friendly, plain language, and labeling real-life objects or past actions strengthens understanding and ensures confident, correct speech and writing.
