When learning English, many learners pause over there has been and there have been. Understanding the difference is crucial because using the correct form affects clarity, communication, and confidence in writing and speaking. There has been usually refers to a single, uncountable noun or thing, like “There has been a change in plans,” while there have been applies to plural, countable things, such as “There have been several accidents here.” Knowing this detail helps improve precision, fluency, and effectiveness in everyday use, academic, or business communication.
In real-world applications, writers and speakers must consider context, tense, and subject-verb agreement. Using there has been in emails, blog posts, business reports, or professional documentation gives a polished, formal tone, while there have been highlights of multiple events or items, enhancing clarity in presentation or conversation. Understanding nuances in grammar, sentence structure, and usage patterns ensures accuracy, reliability, and natural flow, whether in academic writing, everyday conversation, or professional settings.
Mastering these phrases requires attention to common mistakes, subtlety, and contextual choice. Practising with examples, analysing differences, and following practical guidance in writing skills and speaking skills can elevate confidence, comprehension, and communication. Using there has been or there have been effectively strengthens English grammar and leaves a lasting impression in correspondence, helping you communicate ideas with authority.
Understanding the Core Rule: Singular vs Plural Subjects
The main rule is simple: “there has been” is used with singular or uncountable subjects, while “there have been” is used with plural subjects. The verb must agree with the subject that follows, not with there.
- Singular example: There has been a sudden change in the schedule.
- Plural example: There have been several updates to the project timeline.
This rule helps avoid confusion in both writing and speech. For instance, using there has been with a plural noun like “employees” would sound incorrect:
- ❌ There has been many employees missing the meeting.
- ✅ There have been many employees missing the meeting.
Table: Singular vs. Plural Triggers
| Subject Type | Use With | Example |
| Singular noun | There has been | There has been a delay in delivery. |
| Uncountable noun | There has been | There has been significant progress. |
| One event/instance | There has been | There has been an incident at the warehouse. |
| Plural noun | There have been | There have been complaints from customers. |
| Multiple events | There have been | There have been three accidents this week. |
| Plural pronouns | There have been | There have been they attending every session. |
When to Use “There Has Been” (Deep Dive)
“There has been” is appropriate for:
- Singular nouns: a report, a meeting, an error
- Uncountable nouns: progress, research, support
- One-time events: a problem, an announcement, an accident
Example sentences:
- There has been a major improvement in sales this month.
- There has been a technical glitch on the website.
- There has been a lot of research on climate change recently.
Quick list of common nouns for “there has been”:
progress, error, change, announcement, challenge, incident, development, improvement
These examples show that “there has been” emphasizes a single occurrence or uncountable concept, making sentences precise and professional.
When to Use “There Have Been” (Clear Guidance)
“There have been” is for:
- Plural nouns: employees, reports, tasks
- Multiple events: meetings, errors, accidents
- Plural pronouns: they, we
Example sentences:
- There have been several errors in the report.
- There have been three meetings scheduled for today.
- There have been many opportunities to improve communication.
Common nouns for “there have been”:
employees, tasks, complaints, updates, issues, projects, opportunities
This phrase highlights repeated occurrences or multiple items, which is why it’s common in professional, academic, and news contexts.
Side-by-Side Examples
| Situation | Correct Usage | Explanation |
| One error | There has been an error in the report. | Single occurrence |
| Multiple errors | There have been several errors in the report. | Multiple occurrences |
| Progress | There has been noticeable progress. | Uncountable noun |
| Updates | There have been weekly updates from the team. | Plural noun |
This side-by-side table helps learners immediately see the difference in application.
Why “Been” Works in Both Forms: Grammatical Mechanics
The verb “been” is part of the present perfect tense, which shows that an action occurred in the past and has relevance now.
- Structure: There + has/have + been + subject
- Example: There has been a delay → The delay started in the past and affects now
- Example: There have been changes → The changes happened earlier but matter today
Understanding this structure helps learners predict which form to use, rather than guessing.
How Context Drives the Right Choice
Context can dictate form, especially in formal vs informal communication.
- Business setting: There have been multiple client complaints this week.
- Weather reports: There has been heavy rainfall in the northern region.
- News updates: There have been three confirmed cases in the city.
- Case study: In a customer service scenario, “There have been repeated delays in responding to tickets” emphasizes ongoing issues.
Notice how context affects clarity, tone, and precision.
Using These Forms in Questions
Questions also require agreement with the subject:
- Singular: Has there been any issue with the server?
- Plural: Have there been any updates on the project?
Memory formula:
- Singular subject → has there been
- Plural subject → have there been
Examples with “How long”:
- How long has there been a problem with the system?
- How long have there been delays in deliveries?
Using “There Has Been” and “There Have Been” in Affirmative Sentences
Affirmative sentences follow the standard rule:
- There has been a lot of discussion about this policy.
- There have been numerous complaints regarding the new schedule.
Pro tip: Always check the subject after being to ensure proper agreement.
Using These Forms in Negative Statements
Negatives use not and contractions naturally:
- Singular: There hasn’t been a solution yet.
- Plural: There haven’t been any updates this week.
Common mistakes: Using “there’s been” with plural nouns, e.g., ❌ There’s been many errors. ✅ There have been many errors.
Common Errors Learners Make (With Fixes)
- Mistake 1: Letting prepositional phrases distract you
- ❌ There has been in the last week several mistakes.
- ✅ There have been several mistakes in the last week.
- Mistake 2: Confusing collective nouns
- ❌ There have been the team working late.
- ✅ There has been the team working late.
- Mistake 3: Ignoring compound subjects
- ❌ There has been John and Mary attending.
- ✅ There have been John and Mary attending.
- Mistake 4: Choosing the verb too early
- Check the subject carefully before selecting has or have.
Historical and Modern Usage Trends
- Historical: “There has been” and “there have been” have been used since the 16th century, consistently following subject agreement.
- Modern: Corpus studies show “there have been” is more common in news, blogs, and reports when discussing multiple events.
- Regional differences: US and UK English are largely aligned, but US writers sometimes favor contractions like there’s been in informal contexts.
Special Cases That Confuse Even Native Speakers
- Collective nouns: The team has been / have been → context decides
- Indefinite pronouns: Everyone has been informed (singular)
- Compound subjects: John and Mary have been selected (plural)
- Situations where either form is acceptable depend on whether you view the subject as a unit or individuals.
Conclusion
Mastering there has been and there have been is key for clear and professional English communication. Understanding the difference between singular and plural usage, context, tense, and sentence structure ensures your writing and speaking remain precise, confident, and natural. Practicing these forms in real-world examples, like emails, reports, and conversations, sharpens your grammar skills, strengthens your authority, and helps you leave a lasting impression. Using these phrases effectively improves both formal and everyday communication, making your English polished, reliable, and impactful.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main difference between “there has been” and “there have been”?
There has been is used with singular or uncountable nouns, while there have been is used with plural or countable nouns.
Q2. Can “there has been” be used for multiple events?
No, there has been refers to a single event or thing. Use there have been for multiple events.
Q3. Is “there have been” ever correct with a singular idea?
No, there have been always refers to plural things or events. For singular ideas, use there has been.
Q4. Do US and UK English treat these phrases differently?
Both US and UK English use these phrases similarly. Differences are minimal and usually relate to style or formality.
Q5. Why do these phrases use the present perfect tense?
They indicate an action or state that started in the past and has relevance to the present, which is why the present perfect tense is appropriate.
David Williams is a Grammar Expert who helps people understand English in a simple and practical way.
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