If you typed “its called” or “it called” into a search bar and paused, wondering which one actually belongs in your sentence, you are in the right place. This guide breaks down the grammar behind both phrases, shows you exactly when to use each one, and clears up the apostrophe confusion that trips up even confident writers. By the end, you will know the rule instantly, without having to think twice.

Its Called vs It Called: Which One is Correct and Why?

English has plenty of small traps that look harmless but change meaning completely. “Its called” and “it called” are two of the most common ones. They sound almost identical when spoken aloud, yet only one of them is grammatically valid in most everyday situations. The other either needs an apostrophe or a completely different context to make sense.

This confusion usually starts with contractions. English speakers say “it’s” so often in conversation that the written form gets shortened or misspelled without anyone noticing. Add in the separate word “its” (a possessive pronoun) and the past tense verb “called,” and you get three lookalike phrases that serve three very different purposes.

This article walks through the meaning of each phrase, common mistakes people make, a side by side comparison table, regional differences between American and British English, and real world examples you can use as a reference anytime you are unsure.

Quick Answer

Here is the short version if you are in a hurry:

• It’s called is correct when you are naming or identifying something. It is the contraction of “it is called.”
• Its called is always incorrect. There is no grammatical situation where “its” (possessive, no apostrophe) belongs directly before “called” in this naming structure.
• It called is correct only in past tense sentences where “it” performs the action of calling, such as a phone, an animal, or an object making a sound.

If you can replace the phrase with “it is called” and the sentence still makes sense, use “it’s called.” If your sentence describes something that happened in the past, where “it” was the one doing the calling, use “it called.”

Meaning and Explanation

To really understand the difference, it helps to break each phrase down into its grammatical parts. One is a contraction paired with a passive naming structure. The other is a simple past tense verb phrase. They are not interchangeable, even though they look similar on the page.

Its Called

“Its called” is a spelling error, not a grammar variation. The word “its” without an apostrophe is a possessive pronoun, meaning it shows ownership, similar to “his,” “her,” or “their.” For example, “the cat licked its paw” is correct because “its” refers to something belonging to the cat.

The problem arises when writers drop the apostrophe from “it’s” (short for “it is”) and accidentally use the possessive “its” instead. “Its called a router” does not work grammatically because there is no verb “is” in the sentence anymore, only a possessive pronoun sitting awkwardly next to “called.” The sentence loses its verb and its meaning at the same time.

The fix is simple: whenever you are naming or identifying something, you need the apostrophe. “It’s called a router” is the correct form because it expands to “it is called a router,” which makes complete sense.

It Called

“It called” is a legitimate phrase, but it only works in specific contexts. This version uses “called” as the simple past tense of the verb “to call,” meaning “it” is the subject performing the action. This structure appears when an object, animal, or impersonal subject does the calling, rather than being named by someone else.

Examples include:

• “It called out from the darkness.”
• “The bird called from the treetop.”
• “My phone rang, and it called at exactly 9 p.m.”

In each case, “it” is actively doing something, not being labeled or identified. This is the key distinction. “It’s called” describes what something is named. “It called” describes an action that already happened.

Common Mistakes

Even experienced writers slip up on this pair. Here are the most frequent errors people make, along with quick fixes.

1. Dropping the apostrophe entirely. Writing “its called” instead of “it’s called” is the single most common mistake. Since both forms sound the same out loud, the error often goes unnoticed until someone reads the sentence closely.
2. Using “it called” when naming something. A sentence like “it called a smartphone” sounds like the smartphone itself made a phone call, which is rarely the intended meaning. In naming contexts, “it’s called” or “it is called” is almost always the correct choice.
3. Mixing up “it’s” and “its” outside of naming phrases. This confusion is not limited to “called.” Writers often misuse these two words in other sentences too, such as “the company changed it’s logo” instead of the correct “its logo.”
4. Skipping the helping verb altogether. Some writers drop “is” completely, producing incomplete phrases like “it called photosynthesis” when they meant “it’s called photosynthesis.” Without the verb, the sentence feels unfinished.
5. Overcorrecting in formal writing. Some people avoid contractions so strictly that they force awkward phrasing. In formal writing, “it is called” works perfectly well and avoids the apostrophe issue entirely.

A simple test can prevent most of these mistakes. Try substituting “it is” into the sentence. If the sentence still reads naturally, you need the apostrophe. If it does not, you are likely dealing with the past tense verb “called.”

Its Called vs It Called: Comparison Table

This table gives you a quick reference for the next time you second guess your sentence. Bookmark it if grammar checks are part of your regular writing routine.

American vs British English

There is genuinely little difference between American and British English when it comes to this particular grammar rule. Both varieties treat “its called” as incorrect, and neither dialect creates an exception for it.

That said, a few subtle stylistic tendencies exist:

• American English tends to favor contractions like “it’s called” in nearly all forms of writing, including blogs, marketing content, and casual business communication.
• British English, particularly in academic papers, government documents, and formal publications, sometimes leans toward the fully expanded “it is called” for a more polished tone. This is a style preference rather than a strict rule.
• Both dialects agree completely on rejecting “its called” as an error and on treating “it called” as valid only in past tense, action based sentences.

In short, geography does not change the rule. Only the level of formality in a given piece of writing might nudge a writer toward the contracted or expanded version.

Examples in Everyday Sentences

Seeing these phrases in real context makes the rule easier to remember. Here are practical examples across different writing situations.

Using “it’s called” for naming:

• “This dish is delicious. It’s called biryani.”
• “The software update is finally here, and it’s called version 2.0.”
• “That constellation is easy to spot. It’s called Orion’s Belt.”

Using “it called” for past actions:

• “My alarm went off, and it called me back to reality.”
• “The wolf howled once, and it called out again a minute later.”
• “The old machine made a strange noise before it called it quits.”

Common incorrect versions to avoid:

• “Its called a smartphone.” (Missing apostrophe. Should be “It’s called.”)
• “It called the new update.” (Confusing phrasing. Should likely be “It’s called the new update.”)
• “The app updated, and its working now.” (Should be “it’s working,” meaning “it is working.”)

Reading sentences aloud and checking whether “it is” fits naturally is still the fastest way to catch these errors before hitting publish or send.

You can also checkout this article as well Fairing or Faring? The Simple Guide to Using Each Word Correctly

Summary

“It’s called” and “it called” serve two completely different grammatical purposes, and mixing them up can quietly undermine otherwise clear writing. Use “it’s called” whenever you are naming, defining, or identifying something, since it expands cleanly to “it is called.” Reserve “it called” for past tense sentences where an object, animal, or impersonal subject performs the action of calling. As for “its called,” simply remember that it is never correct, no matter the context or dialect. Keep the apostrophe test in mind, and this small grammar hurdle will stop tripping you up for good.