When learners stop mid-sentence wondering which phrase is correct, confusion often comes from expressions like there has been and there have been. These two nearly identical structures follow strict grammar rules, yet they challenge both new learners and fluent speakers. Many people overthink, second-guess, or hesitate every time they must choose the correct form. Understanding that these phrases are not interchangeable is the first step toward clarity.
Although they may look similar at first glance, subject-verb agreement determines whether the sentence refers to a singular or plural subject. Breaking the concept down in a simple, practical way helps the rule stick without guesswork.
Advanced English users and language learners alike often struggle with improper sentence structure in daily communication. Verb agreement plays a central role in sentence construction, and even small mistakes can disrupt the flow and accuracy of a message. Using there has been with singular nouns and there have been with plural nouns ensures correct grammatical structure and usage.
Why “There Has Been vs There Have Been” Confuses So Many Writers
At first glance, both phrases look interchangeable. After all, both use:
- “There”
- A helping verb (has or have)
- “Been”
- A noun phrase
So why does it feel confusing?
Because in these sentences, “there” is not the real subject.
That’s where most people go wrong.
You see “there” at the beginning and instinctively try to match the verb to it. That instinct misleads you.
The real subject actually appears after the verb. Once you understand that shift, everything becomes simple.
The Quick Rule for There Has Been vs There Have Been
Here’s the rule you need:
- Use “there has been” with a singular noun.
- Use “there have been” with a plural noun.
That’s it.
The verb agrees with the noun that comes after “been.”
Let’s test it:
- There has been a problem. ✔
- There have been three problems. ✔
Singular noun → has
Plural noun → have
If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember that.
Understanding Existential “There” Constructions
To truly master there has been vs there have been, you need to understand what kind of sentence this is.
These are called existential constructions.
They introduce the existence of something.
For example:
- There has been a delay.
- There have been several updates.
In both sentences, the speaker announces that something exists.
What “There” Actually Does
In grammar, “there” functions as a dummy subject. It holds the subject position temporarily.
However, it doesn’t control the verb.
The real subject appears later.
That’s why the verb must agree with what follows.
Sentence Structure Breakdown
Here’s the structure:
There + has/have + been + noun phrase
Let’s analyze one:
There have been several changes.
- “There” = placeholder
- “Have been” = verb phrase
- “Several changes” = real subject
Because “changes” is plural, we use “have.”
Simple when you see it clearly.
The Core Grammar Rule Behind There Has Been vs There Have Been
Subject–verb agreement always applies to the real subject, not the placeholder.
Here’s a comparison table to make it crystal clear:
| Structure | Verb Used | Real Subject | Correct Example |
| Singular noun | Has | A delay | There has been a delay. |
| Plural noun | Have | Several delays | There have been several delays. |
| Uncountable noun | Has | Progress | There has been progress. |
| Multiple count nouns | Have | Many updates | There have been many updates. |
Notice the pattern? The verb always matches the noun phrase.
When to Use “There Has Been”
Let’s zoom in on the singular form.
You use “there has been” when the noun phrase is:
- Singular
- Uncountable
- A singular indefinite pronoun
Singular Count Nouns
Examples:
- There has been a mistake.
- There has been an improvement.
- There has been one complaint.
Each noun is singular. Therefore, we use “has.”
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns don’t take an “s.”
Examples:
- There has been progress.
- There has been confusion.
- There has been damage.
Even though these words may refer to large amounts, they remain grammatically singular.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Words like:
- Nothing
- Something
- Anything
Examples:
- There has been something unusual.
- There has been nothing new.
“Something” is singular. So we use “has.”
Tricky Singular Example: “A Number Of” vs “The Number Of”
This trips up many writers.
Consider:
- There has been a number of complaints.
- There has been the number of complaints.
Wait. That looks strange.
Let’s clarify.
“The number of” is singular.
Example:
- There has been an increase in the number of complaints.
The subject is “increase.” That’s singular.
“A number of” behaves as plural.
Example:
- There have been a number of complaints.
Here, “complaints” controls the verb. It’s plural.
Subtle difference. Big impact.
When to Use “There Have Been”
Now let’s focus on the plural form.
Use “there have been” when the noun phrase is plural.
Plural Count Nouns
Examples:
- There have been three accidents.
- There have been multiple revisions.
- There have been many questions.
Each noun is clearly plural. So we use “have.”
Plural Quantifiers
Watch for words like:
- Several
- Many
- Few
- Numerous
Examples:
- There have been several updates.
- There have been many changes.
These words signal plural nouns.
Singular vs Plural: Noun Types That Matter
Understanding noun categories makes this easier.
Countable Nouns
You can count them.
- Book / books
- Error / errors
Agreement depends on singular or plural form.
Uncountable Nouns
You can’t count them individually.
- Information
- Advice
- Equipment
Always singular in grammar.
Example:
- There has been new information.
Collective Nouns
Words like “team” or “group.”
In American English, collective nouns are usually singular.
- There has been a team meeting.
However, if emphasis falls on individuals:
- There have been disagreements within the team.
Context determines agreement.
Tense Deep Dive: Why “Been” Changes Everything
“Been” signals the present perfect tense.
Structure:
Has/have + been
The present perfect connects past events to the present.
For example:
- There has been an error. (The error affects now.)
- There have been delays. (Those delays still matter.)
This tense emphasizes relevance.
You’ll often see time expressions like:
- Recently
- Lately
- Over the past year
- Since Monday
Example:
- There have been several updates since Monday.
The action happened before now. It still matters.
Negative Forms: There Hasn’t Been vs There Haven’t Been
Negatives follow the same rule.
Singular:
- There hasn’t been a response.
- There hasn’t been any progress.
Plural:
- There haven’t been any updates.
- There haven’t been many complaints.
Notice “any” can work with both. The noun decides the verb.
Questions: Has There Been or Have There Been?
Forming questions simply flips the verb.
Singular:
- Has there been a problem?
- Has there been any feedback?
Plural:
- Have there been any issues?
- Have there been multiple attempts?
If you’re unsure, isolate the noun:
- Has there been a problem?
- Have there been problems?
That test rarely fails.
Common Mistakes in There Has Been vs There Have Been
Even fluent speakers make these errors.
Misidentifying the Subject
Incorrect:
- There has been many errors.
Correct:
- There have been many errors.
“Errors” is plural. So use “have.”
Getting Tricked by Prepositional Phrases
Example:
- There have been a series of events.
Here’s the question: what’s the real subject?
“Series” is singular.
So the correct version is:
- There has been a series of events.
The phrase “of events” doesn’t control the verb.
Mixing Tenses
Incorrect:
- There has been several updates yesterday.
“Yesterday” requires past tense.
Correct:
- There were several updates yesterday.
Use present perfect only when time connects to the present.
Special Cases Most Writers Ignore
Let’s go deeper.
Data: Singular or Plural?
In formal scientific writing, “data” is plural.
- There have been significant data collected.
In modern business English, “data” often acts singular:
- There has been a lot of data gathered.
Know your audience. Academic writing prefers plural.
None: Singular or Plural?
“None” can be singular or plural.
- There has been none left. (Singular emphasis)
- There have been none left. (Plural emphasis)
Both are acceptable. Context guides you.
A Lot Of
Agreement depends on the noun after it.
- There has been a lot of rain. (Rain is uncountable.)
- There have been a lot of problems. (Problems are plural.)
Professional Writing and There Has Been vs There Have Been
Professional writing demands precision.
In business reports, agreement errors stand out immediately.
Imagine this sentence in an investor report:
- There has been several compliance violations.
That mistake weakens trust.
Correct version:
- There have been several compliance violations.
Clear. Confident. Accurate.
Journalists follow the same principle. Newsrooms enforce strict agreement rules because clarity builds authority.
Case Study: Business Communication Error
A mid-sized company released an internal memo:
There has been multiple security breaches this quarter.
Employees noticed the grammar error immediately. It seemed minor. However, readers subconsciously associate grammar mistakes with carelessness.
The corrected version read:
There have been multiple security breaches this quarter.
That small fix improved clarity and professionalism.
Grammar shapes perception.
Comparison Table: There Has Been vs There Have Been
| Situation | Correct Form | Example |
| Singular noun | There has been | There has been a change. |
| Plural noun | There have been | There have been changes. |
| Uncountable noun | There has been | There has been progress. |
| Plural quantifier | There have been | There have been many delays. |
| A series of | There has been | There has been a series of errors. |
| A number of | There have been | There have been a number of complaints. |
Keep this table handy. It solves most confusion instantly.
Quick Self-Test: Can You Choose Correctly?
Fill in the blank:
- There ___ been several attempts.
- There ___ been a misunderstanding.
- There ___ been a lot of traffic.
- There ___ been many improvements.
Answers:
- Have
- Has
- Has
- Have
If you got them right, you understand the rule.
Memory Tricks That Actually Work
Here’s a simple trick.
Remove “there has been” and test the noun.
Instead of:
- There have been many problems.
Say:
- Many problems have occurred.
If the noun sounds plural there, use “have.”
Another trick:
Focus on the noun immediately after “been.” That noun decides everything.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between There Has Been vs There Have Been is essential for clear and accurate English communication. While the phrases may look nearly identical, they follow strict subject-verb agreement rules. “There has been” is used with singular subjects, and “there have been” is used with plural subjects. Many learners—both new and advanced English users—struggle because the real subject appears after the verb, which can make sentences feel awkward. By focusing on grammar rules, sentence construction, and proper structure, you can avoid confusion and improve sentence accuracy. Consistent practice, real-world examples, and attention to agreement rules help the correct form stick naturally over time.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main difference between “There has been” and “There have been”?
The difference depends on the subject. Use “There has been” for singular nouns and “There have been” for plural nouns.
Q2: Why do learners confuse these phrases?
The subject usually comes after the verb, which can make it harder to identify whether it is singular or plural. This leads to subject-verb agreement mistakes.
Q3: Are these phrases interchangeable?
No, they are not interchangeable. Each follows specific grammar rules based on singular or plural usage.
Q4: Can advanced English users still make mistakes with these forms?
Yes. Even fluent speakers sometimes struggle, especially in complex or awkward sentences.
Q5: How can I avoid making mistakes?
Focus on identifying the real subject in the sentence. Practice with examples, review agreement rules, and pay attention to sentence flow.
