As someone who helps learners and native speakers alike, I’ve often seen how even advanced English users struggle to grasp the correct usage of the phrases “There has been” or “There have been.” These expressions come up frequently in daily conversations and writing, yet people still ask the same questions about when to use which. The confusion usually lies in the subject-verb agreement, especially in awkward sentences where improper structure can disrupt the flow of communication.
In this article, we’ll break down the rules that sit behind each phrase, to help you not just memorize but truly understand how and when to choose the right form. Think of it like matching a puzzle piece to the correct space: singular nouns call for “There has been,” while plural ones fit with “There have been.”
When I first learned about these special cases, I kept a notebook full of examples to remind myself which form to use. That habit helped me explore the grammar patterns and see the context more clearly. One thing that often gets misunderstood is that these aren’t just tricky phrases – they’re part of a system. The expressions themselves are used to describe situations that began in the past and are still relevant now.
When you provide a clear idea of the number or subject, the choice becomes easy. We’ll explain this through simple examples, and also point out common misconceptions that trip up even fluent speakers. Mastering this can sharpen your writing, improve your communication, and boost your confidence – whether you’re speaking in a classroom, typing an email, or chatting over coffee.
Grasping the Basics: Singular vs. Plural Forms
The first step in mastering the difference between “There has been” and “There have been” is understanding subject-verb agreement. In English, verbs change depending on whether the subject is singular or plural. The verb “has” is used with singular subjects, while “have” is used with plural subjects.
Singular and Plural Nouns
- Singular Noun: Refers to one person, thing, or event. Example: There has been a problem with the system.
- Plural Noun: Refers to more than one person, thing, or event. Example: There have been multiple issues with the system.
The general rule is straightforward: use “has” with singular subjects and “have” with plural subjects. But when it comes to using these phrases with “there,” it’s important to understand that the verb agrees with the noun that follows.
When to Use “There Has Been”
Use “There has been” when referring to a singular subject or one instance of something. In these cases, “has” serves as the correct auxiliary verb.
Examples of “There Has Been”
- There has been a misunderstanding.
- There has been a delay in the delivery.
- There has been an improvement in the process.
Notice how all of these examples refer to a singular subject or event. This is key to correctly using “There has been”.
Common Mistakes with “There Has Been”
- Incorrect: There has been many problems. Correct: There have been many problems. Why? “Problems” is plural, so “have” should be used instead of “has.”
“There Have Been” for Multiple Items or Events
In contrast to “There has been,” you should use “There have been” when talking about multiple things, events, or instances. The key here is that the subject is plural.
Examples of “There Have Been”
- There have been several complaints about the service.
- There have been many changes in the schedule.
- There have been noticeable improvements in customer satisfaction.
Why “There Have Been” is Used in Plural Contexts
The verb “have” agrees with the plural subject that follows. Whenever you are discussing more than one item or event, “have” will be the correct choice.
Common Mistakes with “There Have Been”
- Incorrect: There have been a mistake in the system. Correct: There has been a mistake in the system. Why? “Mistake” is singular, so “has” should be used.
Examples That Illustrate the Difference
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of “There has been” vs. “There have been” to reinforce the understanding:
| Correct Phrase | Explanation |
| There has been a mistake. | Singular subject (“mistake”) takes “has.” |
| There have been problems with the app. | Plural subject (“problems”) takes “have.” |
| There has been one issue. | Singular subject (“issue”) takes “has.” |
| There have been many issues. | Plural subject (“issues”) takes “have.” |
| There has been an error in the report. | Singular subject (“error”) takes “has.” |
| There have been several errors. | Plural subject (“errors”) takes “have.” |
This table helps illustrate the key difference between the two phrases and solidifies your understanding of how subject-verb agreement works in these cases.
The Grammatical Mechanics Behind “Been”
The word “been” is the past participle of the verb “be,” and it remains unchanged, regardless of whether the auxiliary verb is “has” or “have.” Both “There has been” and “There have been” are examples of the present perfect tense in English. The present perfect tense connects the past with the present, signifying that something started in the past and continues to have relevance today.
Why “Been” Remains the Same
Both “There has been” and “There have been” use the same past participle “been.” The key difference between the two lies in the auxiliary verb “has” vs. “have,” which reflects whether the subject is singular or plural.
Making the Right Choice: Contextual Clarity in Language
While the rules of subject-verb agreement are helpful, context plays a critical role in determining whether you should use “There has been” or “There have been.”
Understanding the Context
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the subject singular or plural?
- Are you referring to one instance or multiple instances?
By answering these questions, you can determine the appropriate form of the verb.
Example 1: The subject is singular
- There has been a delay in the schedule. (One delay)
Example 2: The subject is plural
- There have been many delays in the schedule. (Multiple delays)
Both “There has been” and “There have been” are grammatically correct; the choice depends on the subject of the sentence.
Questions and Interrogative Forms
When forming questions, English speakers often invert the subject and auxiliary verb. This is also true when asking about “There has been” or “There have been.”
Correct Usage in Questions
- Has there been any news about the project?
- Have there been any updates on the status of the project?
Notice that when the subject is singular (e.g., “news”), “has” is used, and when the subject is plural (e.g., “updates”), “have” is used.
Common Mistakes in Questions
- Incorrect: Has there been any changes? Correct: Have there been any changes? Why? “Changes” is plural, so “have” should be used.
Asserting Facts with Affirmative Statements
When making affirmative statements, you should adhere to the same rules. If you’re referring to one thing, use “has,” and if you’re referring to multiple things, use “have.”
Examples:
- There has been a breakthrough in the research. (Singular subject: breakthrough)
- There have been significant advancements in technology. (Plural subject: advancements)
In both cases, the subject determines whether “has” or “have” is appropriate.
Expressing Negation in English
When negating these phrases, the auxiliary verbs “has” and “have” are contracted into “hasn’t” and “haven’t.”
Examples:
- There hasn’t been any progress on the project.
- There haven’t been any updates from the team.
These contractions make the negation more conversational and natural.
Historical Usage Trends: “There Has Been” vs. “There Have Been”
Interestingly, while both “There has been” and “There have been” are grammatically correct, historical trends in English usage show that “There have been” has become more common in modern usage, especially in informal contexts.
Why the Shift Occurred
The shift toward “There have been” could be influenced by the increasing use of plural subjects and the preference for simplicity in everyday speech. In many contexts, English speakers now tend to use the plural form more often than the singular one.
Expanding Understanding: Special Cases and Common Queries
What About Collective Nouns?
When using collective nouns (such as team, group, or family), the choice between “There has been” and “There have been” depends on whether the collective noun is treated as a singular or plural entity.
- Singular collective noun: There has been a change in the team’s performance.
- Plural collective noun: There have been changes in the team’s performances.
What If the Subject Is Both Singular and Plural?
Sometimes, the subject of the sentence may appear to be both singular and plural. For example, “There has been an increase in students attending the event.”
Here, “increase” is singular, so “has” is the correct choice, even though “students” is plural.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the difference between “There has been“ and “There have been“ is crucial for clear and grammatically correct communication in English. The key lies in understanding subject-verb agreement: use “has“ for singular subjects and “have“ for plural ones. This distinction helps ensure that your sentences sound natural and are easy to understand, whether you’re writing formal reports or speaking in everyday conversation.
Although the rules are simple, context plays a significant role in making the right choice, especially when dealing with collective nouns or subjects that are both singular and plural. By practicing with real-life examples and paying attention to subject-verb agreement, you can quickly improve your understanding of these phrases.
FAQs
Can I say “There has been many issues”?
No, “issues” is plural, so the correct phrase is “There have been many issues.”
What if the subject is a collective noun like “team”?
If the collective noun is considered singular, use “There has been,” e.g., “There has been a change in the team’s performance.”
How can I use these phrases in questions?
In questions, invert the auxiliary verb: “Has there been any progress?” or “Have there been any delays?”
Is there any difference between formal and informal use?
No, both “There has been” and “There have been” are used in both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends on singular or plural subjects.
Can I mix singular and plural subjects?
No, always match the verb with the subject. For instance, “There has been an issue,” and “There have been several issues.”