The apostrophe in it’s does a lot of work, and leaving it out changes everything. If you’ve wondered whether to write it’s called or it called, the answer is clear — but understanding why will help you get it right every time.
The Direct Answer
“It’s called” is correct.
“It called” is either incomplete or means something entirely different.
What “It’s Called” Actually Means
It’s is a contraction of it is. So it’s called expands to it is called.
This is a passive construction — the subject (it) receives the action (being called/named) rather than performing it.
Examples:
- The device that measures temperature — it’s called a thermometer.
- This style of music — it’s called bluegrass.
- The fear of spiders — it’s called arachnophobia.
- That knot you tie at the end of a thread — it’s called a quilter’s knot.
In every case, it’s called introduces a name or label for something. It answers the question: What is this thing named?
What “It Called” Does (and Doesn’t Do)
Without the apostrophe and the s, it called becomes a completely different grammatical structure.
Here, called functions as a past tense verb, and it is the subject performing the action.
Example:
- The office called. (It called — the office made a phone call.)
- When it called, nobody answered.
So it called is grammatically fine — but it describes something that made a call, not something that has a name.
If someone writes it called when they mean it is called, that’s a mistake. The contraction (it’s) is missing.
Why This Confusion Happens
Two reasons come up often:
1. Apostrophe avoidance
Some writers are unsure when to use apostrophes, so they leave them out. With it’s, dropping the apostrophe doesn’t just change the style — it removes the verb entirely.
It called a thermometer has no linking verb. The sentence is broken.
2. Confusing it’s with its
Its (no apostrophe) is the possessive form — the dog chased its tail. It’s (with apostrophe) always means it is or it has.
When the intended meaning is it is called, the apostrophe is not optional.
The Possessive Trap
This is worth a moment because it trips people up repeatedly.
| Form | Meaning | Example |
| it’s | it is / it has | It’s called a hammock. |
| its | belonging to it | The hammock lost its tag. |
| it called | it made a call (past tense) | It called twice before I answered. |
The rule is simple: if you can replace it’s with it is and the sentence still makes sense, the apostrophe belongs there.
It is called a hammock. ✓ — so it’s called a hammock is correct.
One Variation Worth Knowing
You might also see it’s called expanded in formal or emphatic writing:
- It is called a false dilemma.
- It is called the golden ratio.
This is the same structure — just without the contraction. Both are correct. The contracted form is more natural in everyday speech and casual writing. The full form suits formal writing better.
Quick Practical Test
Before you write it called, ask: Am I describing something being named or labeled?
If yes → use it’s called.
If you mean that something literally made a phone call or issued a summons in the past → it called is right.
The two are not interchangeable. They describe different things entirely.
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It’s Afini, I am the author at Vocab press, a website focused on animal facts with clear visuals and simple guides. I research and share accurate, easy-to-understand information for readers of all ages. My goal is to make learning about animals fun, trustworthy, and simple. I follow fact-based writing and keep content updated, helpful, and people-first. Thank you for reading.
