Understanding “There Has Been” and “There Have Been” is essential for English learners because mastering these phrases sharpens speaking, writing, and overall skills. At first glance, it may seem like small beans, but focusing on detail, zeroing in on differences, and knowing when to use singular or plural nouns, countable or uncountable things, ensures your content is polished, confident, and professional.
From daily conversations in a classroom to typing emails or chatting over coffee, the trick is to pause, understand each phrase, and choose the correct form. The maze of awkward, improper structure, or tricky expressions becomes easier when you memorize, master, and confidently apply practical examples. ‘
Observing trends, updating resources, and matching patterns in modern English helps evolve style, elevate message, sharpen authority, and improve fluency, flow, and natural communication, leaving a strong impression on native and advanced users alike.
Understanding the Basics: Singular vs. Plural
The first step to mastering “there has been or there have been” lies in understanding singular and plural subjects.
- Singular nouns refer to one person, thing, or concept. Example: a mistake, a delay, a problem.
- Plural nouns refer to more than one. Example: mistakes, delays, problems.
English grammar requires that the verb agrees with the subject:
| Subject Type | Correct Form | Example |
| Singular | There has been | There has been a mistake. |
| Plural | There have been | There have been several mistakes. |
Quick Tip: Think of “has” for one, have for many.” This rule applies to almost all contexts unless special cases arise, which we’ll cover later.
When to Use “There Has Been”
“There has been” is used primarily with singular nouns and uncountable nouns. It’s also common in formal writing and academic contexts.
Situations for “There has been”:
- Single event or occurrence:
There has been a sudden increase in website traffic. - Abstract concepts or uncountable nouns:
There has been confusion regarding the new policy. - Formal or professional reporting:
There has been a noticeable improvement in student performance this semester.
Examples in Sentences:
- There has been a delay in the project delivery.
- There has been considerable progress in renewable energy adoption.
- There has been an increase in customer complaints.
Quick Table: When to Use “There Has Been”
| Context | Example Sentence |
| Singular nouns | There has been a problem with the server. |
| Uncountable nouns | There has been much debate on climate change. |
| Formal reports | There has been a rise in quarterly sales. |
When to Use “There Have Been”
On the other hand, “there have been” is used with plural nouns and multiple occurrences.
Situations for “There have been”:
- Multiple events or items:
There have been three changes to the schedule this week. - Repeated or ongoing occurrences:
There have been frequent outages in the network lately.
Examples in Sentences:
- There have been several complaints about the new software update.
- There have been improvements in traffic management this year.
- There have been attempts to resolve the issue over the past month.
Quick Table: When to Use “There Have Been”
| Context | Example Sentence |
| Plural nouns | There have been many delays in the shipment. |
| Multiple occurrences | There have been multiple interviews conducted today. |
| Repeated events | There have been ongoing discussions about the merger. |
Real-World Examples
Seeing these phrases in real-world contexts helps solidify understanding.
From News Headlines:
- “There has been a spike in online fraud during the holiday season.” – The Guardian
- “There have been widespread protests across the country.” – BBC News
- “There has been a significant rise in renewable energy adoption in Europe.” – Reuters
Side-by-side Comparison:
- Singular: There has been a dramatic change in policy.
- Plural: There have been dramatic changes in policies.
Grammar Refresher
The Role of “There”
The word “there” functions as an existential introductory word, pointing to the presence of something rather than being the subject itself. For example:
- There has been a mistake. → The mistake is the actual subject.
- There have been improvements. → Improvements is the subject, plural in this case.
Perfect Tense Recap
Both phrases use the present perfect tense, combining has/have + been. This tense describes:
- Events that started in the past and continue to the present.
- Experiences or changes that have occurred up to now.
Example:
- There has been a rise in inflation this year. (Past to present)
- There have been multiple recalls of the product. (Ongoing effect)
Easy Tip: Use the “is/are” trick for tricky sentences. Replace has/have been with is/are to check subject agreement.
Common Confusions (Solved)
When the Subject Comes Later
Sometimes, the real subject appears after the phrase, which can confuse beginners:
- There has been a new policy introduced by the government.
- There have been several attempts to fix the issue.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns like team, staff, jury can be singular or plural depending on whether the group acts as one unit or individual members.
| Collective Noun | Singular Example | Plural Example |
| Team | There has been a decision by the team. | There have been disagreements among team members. |
Indefinite Quantifiers
Words like all, some, many, few can influence verb choice:
- All of the data has been analyzed. (uncountable)
- Many reports have been submitted. (plural)
Case Study: Formal Report Writing
Imagine writing a formal business report. Choosing the correct phrase ensures clarity and professionalism.
Scenario: A project manager reporting progress.
- ✅ Correct: There has been a delay due to supply chain issues.
- ✅ Correct: There have been multiple quality inspections completed this week.
Tips:
- Identify whether the noun is singular or plural.
- Use there has been for a single event or abstract concept.
- Use there have been for multiple events or plural subjects.
- Double-check if the subject follows “there has/have been”.
Asking Questions & Expressing Negation
Forming Questions
- Has there been any update on the project?
- Have there been complaints about the new policy?
Expressing Negation
- There hasn’t been any confirmation yet.
- There haven’t been any problems reported so far.
Affirmative Statements for Comparison
- There has been positive feedback from clients.
- There have been several successful trials this year.
Special Cases
Some situations are trickier:
- When the subject comes later:
There has been a sudden surge in demand for electric cars. - Collective nouns acting as plural:
There have been disagreements among the committee members. - Indefinite quantities affecting verb choice:
All of the evidence has been reviewed carefully.
Quick Reference Table
| Usage Situation | Correct Form Example |
| Singular noun | There has been a problem. |
| Plural noun | There have been multiple errors. |
| Abstract or uncountable noun | There has been confusion. |
| Collective noun (singular action) | There has been a decision. |
| Collective noun (plural action) | There have been disagreements. |
| Question form | Has there been any progress? |
| Negation | There hasn’t been a resolution yet. |
Historical Usage Trends
English grammar has evolved, but “there has been” and “there have been” remain consistent in their usage.
- In older English, writers often preferred singular forms for collective nouns.
- Modern English emphasizes agreement with the actual number of items, reflecting clarity and precision.
FAQs
Q1: When should I use “there has been” instead of “there have been”?
Use “there has been” for singular nouns or uncountable things. It shows that one item or a single situation exists or occurred.
Q2: Can “there have been” be used for one thing?
No. “There have been” is for plural nouns or countable things. Using it for a singular noun sounds incorrect or awkward.
Q3: How can I remember which phrase to use?
Pause, check the noun, and ask if it’s singular or plural. Practicing with real-world examples, emails, or classroom exercises helps memorize and master the rules.
Q4: Does this affect writing and speaking skills?
Absolutely. Correct usage makes your writing polished, your speaking confident, and your communication flow naturally. It also improves credibility and clarity.
Q5: Are these phrases interchangeable?
No. They may seem similar at first glance, but using the wrong form can make your sentence sound odd or incorrect.
Emily Claire is a dedicated writer and English grammar specialist who helps readers improve their language skills with clarity and confidence. At Grammar Schooling, she turns complex grammar rules into clear, engaging lessons that make learning enjoyable. Her passion lies in empowering learners worldwide to communicate effectively and express themselves with ease.