Have you ever paused while writing and wondered whether to use it’s called or it called? This is a common grammar question, especially for English learners. Although the two phrases look similar, only one is correct in most everyday situations.
The difference comes down to grammar. It’s called is the standard English expression used to name or identify something, while it called is usually incomplete unless it appears as part of a longer sentence. In this guide, you’ll learn the difference, see practical examples, avoid common mistakes, and understand when each phrase should be used.
Quick Answer
- It’s called is the correct phrase when introducing or naming something.
- It called is usually incorrect because it lacks a helping verb or additional words.
In most situations, use “it’s called.”
What Does “It’s Called” Mean?
It’s called is a contraction of it is called.
It is used to introduce the name of a person, place, object, idea, or concept.
This phrase is extremely common in everyday English, education, business, and casual conversation.
Examples of “It’s Called”
- It’s called a telescope.
- It’s called photosynthesis.
- It’s called customer service.
- It’s called teamwork.
- It’s called a smartphone app.
You can also write the full form:
- It is called a telescope.
Both forms are correct, although it’s called is more common in conversation.
What Does “It Called” Mean?
It called is not usually a complete phrase.
It only works when additional words follow it because called is the past tense of call.
For example:
- It called my attention to the problem. ✅
- It called for immediate action. ✅
- It called him yesterday. (Rare and unusual, depending on context.)
By itself, it called is incomplete and sounds ungrammatical.
Example
❌ It called a microscope.
✅ It’s called a microscope.
It’s Called vs It Called: Comparison Table
| Feature | It’s Called | It Called |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | Complete phrase | Usually incomplete |
| Meaning | It is named | It performed the action of calling |
| Common in everyday English | Very common | Rare by itself |
| Correct for naming something | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
The Main Difference
The easiest way to remember the difference is:
- It’s called = It is called = Naming something.
- It called = Something performed the action of calling.
Compare these examples:
Naming Something
- It’s called a rainbow.
- It’s called artificial intelligence.
- It’s called renewable energy.
Action of Calling
- The alarm rang because it called everyone’s attention to the emergency.
- The situation called for patience.
In these cases, called is the main verb, not part of the passive voice.
Which Phrase Should You Use?
Use it’s called when:
- Naming an object
- Explaining a term
- Teaching vocabulary
- Introducing a concept
- Identifying something
Use it called only when:
- Called is the main verb and additional words complete the sentence.
- Referring to an action performed by “it.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect
- It called a butterfly.
Correct
- It’s called a butterfly.
Incorrect
- It called photosynthesis.
Correct
- It’s called photosynthesis.
Correct
- The emergency called for immediate action.
- The event called everyone’s attention to the issue.
Easy Memory Trick
Here’s a simple trick:
If you can replace the phrase with “It is called,” then it’s called is correct.
Example:
- It’s called a dictionary.
- It is called a dictionary.
Both are correct.
If that replacement doesn’t make sense, you may need a different sentence structure.
American vs British English
There is no difference between American and British English.
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| It’s called | It’s called |
| It is called | It is called |
Both varieties of English use the same grammar rules.
Related Words and LSI Keywords
Using related vocabulary naturally improves topical authority and readability.
- Named
- Known as
- Referred to as
- Called
- Term
- Phrase
- Definition
- Meaning
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- English expression
- Naming
- Passive voice
- Language learning
- Word usage
These related terms help readers better understand the topic while supporting natural SEO.
Expert Writing Tip
Professional writers and English teachers commonly use it’s called because it is clear, natural, and grammatically correct when introducing names or explaining terms. Whether you’re writing educational content, business documents, or blog posts, this phrase helps readers understand what something is called.
Remember that it called is only appropriate when called functions as the main verb and the sentence clearly explains what was called or what action was performed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “it’s called” correct?
Yes. It’s called is the correct and common way to introduce the name of something.
Is “it called” correct?
By itself, no. It is usually incomplete and requires additional words to form a complete sentence.
What does “it’s called” mean?
It means “it is named” or “this is the name of something.”
Can I write “it is called” instead of “it’s called”?
Yes. It is called is the full form, while it’s called is the contraction. Both are correct.
Is there a difference between American and British English?
No. Both varieties use it’s called in the same way.
Why do English learners confuse these phrases?
Because the contraction it’s is often overlooked, making it called seem similar even though it is grammatically incomplete.
Which phrase is better for everyday conversation?
It’s called is far more common and natural in everyday English.
Summary
The difference between it’s called and it called is based on grammar. It’s called is a contraction of it is called and is the standard phrase for naming or identifying something. It is used in both spoken and written English and appears frequently in education, business, and everyday conversations.
It called, on the other hand, is usually incomplete unless called is the main verb in a longer sentence. For most situations where you’re introducing the name of a person, object, place, or concept, it’s called is the correct and natural choice. Using the right phrase improves clarity, grammar, and the overall quality of your writing.
A passionate linguist who specializes in word relationships and vocabulary building.
He has spent years studying synonyms and semantic patterns across languages.
Arman writes to make language learning simple, precise, and engaging.
