Many English learners get confused by it’s called vs it called because the two phrases look similar but are not grammatically interchangeable.
You may see both online, but only one is correct in most situations. Understanding this difference is essential for speaking and writing natural English.
The comparison it’s called vs it called often appears in conversations, school assignments, business writing, and everyday communication.
In standard English, it’s called is the correct phrase because it includes the verb is, while it called is usually incomplete and only works in rare grammatical structures.
This guide explains the meaning, grammar, usage, examples, and common mistakes to help you use the correct phrase with confidence.
Quick Answer
- It’s called is the correct phrase in standard English when naming or identifying something.
- It called is usually grammatically incorrect because it is missing the helping verb is.
- In most situations, always use it’s called.
It’s Called vs It Called Comparison Table
| Feature | It’s Called | It Called |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatically correct | ✅ Yes | ❌ Usually No |
| Complete sentence | Yes | Usually No |
| Uses the verb “is” | Yes | No |
| Common in spoken English | Yes | Rare |
| Common in formal writing | Yes | No |
| Used to name something | Yes | No |
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, concept, or process.
Examples
- It’s called artificial intelligence.
- It’s called a microscope.
- It’s called customer relationship management.
- It’s called photosynthesis.
This phrase is grammatically complete and commonly used in both spoken and written English.
What Does “It Called” Mean?
On its own, it called is generally incorrect because the sentence lacks the helping verb is.
Incorrect Examples
- It called photosynthesis.
- It called teamwork.
- It called marketing.
These sentences should be written as:
- It’s called photosynthesis.
- It’s called teamwork.
- It’s called marketing.
However, it called can appear in rare situations where called is the main past-tense verb.
Example
- The phone rang because it called the emergency number automatically.
Here, called is an action verb, not part of the passive voice.
Main Difference Between It’s Called and It Called
| It’s Called | It Called |
|---|---|
| Means “it is called” | Means “it called” (performed the action) |
| Passive voice | Active voice |
| Used to identify names | Used when “it” performs the action of calling |
| Very common | Rare |
| Grammatically complete | Usually incomplete |
Grammar Rule
It’s called uses the passive voice.
Structure:
It + is + called + name
Grammar Forms Table
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| It is called | It is called gravity. |
| It’s called | It’s called gravity. |
| It was called | It was called Project Alpha. |
| It will be called | It will be called Horizon. |
| It has been called | It has been called a breakthrough. |
Notice that all correct forms include a helping verb.
When Should You Use “It’s Called”?
Use it’s called whenever you introduce or explain the name of something.
Examples
Business:
- It’s called a strategic partnership.
Education:
- It’s called the scientific method.
Science:
- It’s called evaporation.
Technology:
- It’s called cloud computing.
Daily Conversation:
- It’s called a reusable water bottle.
When Can “It Called” Be Correct?
Although uncommon, it called is correct when called is the past-tense action verb.
Examples
- The emergency system activated because it called the fire department.
- The robot detected danger and it called for assistance.
These examples are different because called means “made a phone call” or “requested help.
Real-Life Examples
| Context | Correct Phrase | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Business | It’s called | It’s called brand positioning. |
| Education | It’s called | It’s called active learning. |
| Science | It’s called | It’s called osmosis. |
| Technology | It’s called | It’s called machine learning. |
| Medical | It’s called | It’s called hypertension. |
| Emergency system | It called | It called emergency services automatically. |
Why Do People Confuse It’s Called and It Called?
Several reasons explain the confusion.
Missing contraction
People sometimes forget that it’s means it is.
Fast speech
Native speakers often pronounce it’s called quickly, making it sound like one word.
Passive vs active voice
Many learners do not recognize that it’s called is passive, while it called is active.
Translation from other languages
Some languages do not use helping verbs in the same way, leading to incorrect translations.
Professional and Industry Usage
| Industry | Preferred Phrase | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Business | It’s called | Standard English |
| Education | It’s called | Used to define concepts |
| Journalism | It’s called | Formal grammar |
| Healthcare | It’s called | Explains medical terms |
| Science | It’s called | Introduces terminology |
| Technology | It’s called | Names software and systems |
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| It called photosynthesis. | It’s called photosynthesis. |
| It called marketing strategy. | It’s called a marketing strategy. |
| It called artificial intelligence. | It’s called artificial intelligence. |
| It called cloud computing. | It’s called cloud computing. |
Correct Sentences
- It’s called digital marketing.
- It’s called renewable energy.
- It’s called critical thinking.
- It’s called customer service excellence.
Memory Trick
Use this simple trick:
If you’re naming something, always think “It is called.”
If you can replace it’s with it is, then it’s called is correct.
Example:
- It is called gravity. ✅
- It called gravity. ❌
How to Choose the Correct Phrase
| Step | Question | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Are you naming something? | It’s called |
| 2 | Can you replace it’s with it is? | It’s called |
| 3 | Is “called” an action verb? | It called |
| 4 | Are you writing formally? | It’s called |
| 5 | Is the subject making a phone call? | It called |
Examples in Different Contexts
Business
- It’s called market segmentation.
Education
- It’s called blended learning.
Science
- It’s called the water cycle.
Technology
- It’s called blockchain technology.
Healthcare
- It’s called physical therapy.
Emergency Services
- The alarm detected smoke and it called emergency responders.
People Also Ask
Is “it called” grammatically correct?
Usually no. It is incomplete unless called is being used as the main action verb.
Is “it’s called” correct?
Yes. It is the standard way to introduce the name of something.
Why is “it’s called” more common?
Because it correctly uses the passive voice to identify or name something.
Can I say “it is called” instead of “it’s called”?
Yes. Both are correct. It’s called is simply the contracted form.
What is the difference between “it’s called” and “it called”?
It’s called identifies a name, while it called means something performed the action of calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phrase is correct in formal writing?
It’s called is the correct choice for formal and informal writing.
Can “it called” ever be correct?
Yes, but only when called is used as an action verb.
Is “it’s called” passive voice?
Yes. It is a passive construction.
Should I avoid “it called”?
Unless you mean that something made a call, yes. It is usually incorrect for naming things.
Which phrase should English learners remember?
Remember it’s called whenever you’re introducing the name of something.
Conclusion
Understanding it’s called vs it called is straightforward once you know the grammar behind each phrase. It’s called is the correct and standard expression for naming or identifying something because it is a passive construction meaning it is called. On the other hand, it called is only correct when called functions as the main action verb, such as when a device or person makes a phone call.
Whenever you want to explain what something is named, choose it’s called. It is the natural, grammatically correct option used in everyday conversation, education, business, and professional writing.
