English can be confusing because small words often make a huge difference. One common question learners ask is whether they should write it’s called or it called. Although these two phrases look almost identical, only one is grammatically correct in standard English in most situations.
If you’ve ever wondered why native speakers say It’s called a telescope instead of It called a telescope, you’re in the right place. This guide explains the grammar in simple terms, provides plenty of examples, highlights common mistakes, and helps you remember the correct form forever.
Quick Answer
“It’s called” is the correct phrase in standard English because it’s means it is, and called is a past participle used in a passive voice construction. “It called” is usually grammatically incorrect unless called is the main verb describing something that performed the action of calling.
Why People Confuse It
Many English learners think it’s is optional because the words look similar.
The confusion usually happens because:
- They forget that called often needs a helping verb.
- They mix active and passive voice.
- They translate directly from another language.
- They don’t recognize that it’s is a contraction for it is.
Understanding passive voice solves most of this confusion.
It’s Called
It’s called means it is called.
This is a passive voice expression used to give the name of something.
Structure
It + is + called + noun/name
Examples
- It’s called a microscope.
- It’s called artificial intelligence.
- It’s called climate change.
- It’s called photosynthesis.
- It’s called a password manager.
You can also write the full form:
- It is called a microscope.
Both are correct. It’s called is simply more natural in everyday English.
When Is It Used?
Use it’s called when:
- Naming something
- Explaining terminology
- Introducing a concept
- Defining an object
- Teaching vocabulary
It Called
It called is generally incomplete and incorrect in standard English.
Why?
Because called is the past tense or past participle of call, and without an auxiliary verb, the sentence usually doesn’t make sense.
Incorrect:
- It called a phone.
- It called artificial intelligence.
- It called a microscope.
However, it called can be correct in very specific situations where called is the main action.
Example:
- The automatic system called me yesterday.
If the subject is it, you could say:
- It called me twice.
- It called the emergency services automatically.
Here, called means telephoned or contacted, not named.
Comparison Table
| Feature | It’s Called | It Called |
| Grammatically correct for naming something | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Uses passive voice | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Means “it is named” | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Means “telephoned/contacted” | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Common in dictionaries and definitions | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Common in everyday English | ✅ Very common | ⚠️ Only in specific contexts |
When to Use Each
Choose it’s called when you are:
- Giving a name
- Defining something
- Explaining vocabulary
- Introducing a concept
- Teaching English
Examples:
- It’s called an adjective.
- It’s called renewable energy.
- It’s called a bookmark.
- It’s called a greenhouse.
Choose it called only when it performed the action of calling.
Examples:
- It called me this morning.
- The software detected a problem and it called support automatically.
- The emergency device activated, and it called for help.
Examples
Here are more examples to help you understand the difference.
Correct: “It’s called”
- It’s called a keyboard.
- It’s called a smartphone.
- It’s called gravity.
- It’s called empathy.
- It’s called machine learning.
- It’s called an ecosystem.
- It’s called renewable energy.
- It’s called punctuation.
- It’s called a hypothesis.
- It’s called digital marketing.
- It’s called a subscription.
Correct: “It Called”
- It called my phone unexpectedly.
- The alarm system malfunctioned, and it called security.
- The device called the control center.
- It called emergency services after detecting smoke.
Common Mistakes
Here are mistakes learners frequently make.
❌ It called artificial intelligence.
✅ It’s called artificial intelligence.
❌ It called Wi-Fi.
✅ It’s called Wi-Fi.
❌ It called a laptop.
✅ It’s called a laptop.
❌ It called a microscope.
✅ It’s called a microscope.
Correct Use
✔ It called my office yesterday.
In this sentence, called means telephoned, so it is correct.
Memory Trick
Think of this simple question:
Are you giving something a name?
If the answer is yes, use:
It’s called…
If you’re talking about making a phone call or contacting someone, use:
It called…
A quick shortcut:
- Named = It’s called
- Telephoned = It called
American vs British English
There is no difference between American and British English regarding these expressions.
Both varieties use:
- It’s called a lift. (British)
- It’s called an elevator. (American)
The vocabulary changes, but the grammar stays exactly the same.
Similar Words
If you’re learning English grammar, you may also find these word pairs helpful:
- It’s vs Its
- Called vs Named
- Is Called vs Known As
- This Is Called vs This Called
- Named vs Termed
- Referred To As vs Called
- It Is vs It’s
- Known As vs Called
These expressions often appear in academic writing, dictionaries, textbooks, and everyday conversations.
Final Verdict
For almost every situation involving names, definitions, or explanations, it’s called is the correct choice. It follows standard English grammar by using the passive voice (it is called).
Use it called only when it is the subject performing the action of calling someone or something. Understanding this difference will make your English sound more natural and grammatically accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is “it called” grammatically correct?
Yes, but only when called means telephoned or contacted, as in It called me yesterday.
2. Is “it’s called” always correct?
It’s correct when you are naming or defining something.
3. Why does “called” need “is”?
Because the passive voice requires a helping verb: is called.
4. Can I say “it is called” instead of “it’s called”?
Yes. It is called is the full form, while it’s called is the contraction.
5. Is “it’s called” formal?
Yes. Both it’s called and it is called are acceptable in formal and informal English.
6. What’s the easiest way to remember the difference?
If you’re introducing a name, say it’s called. If something made a phone call, it called may be correct.
7. Is this mistake common among English learners?
Yes. Many learners confuse passive voice with active voice, making this a very common grammar mistake.
Conclusion
The difference between it’s called and it called comes down to grammar and meaning. It’s called means it is named, making it the correct choice for definitions, explanations, and introducing names. It is one of the most common passive voice structures in English.
On the other hand, it called is only correct when it performs the action of calling someone, such as an automated system or device making a phone call. Keeping this distinction in mind will help you avoid one of the most common English grammar mistakes and improve both your writing and speaking.
Remember This
Use “it’s called” when naming something.
Use “it called” only when something actually made a phone call or contacted someone.
Once you remember “named = it’s called” and “telephoned = it called,” you’ll rarely make this mistake again.
Nova Turner specializes in imaginative science fiction blending futuristic technology, thrilling adventures, and powerful human emotions. Her innovative storytelling inspires curiosity, creativity, and exploration among readers of every age.
