There Has Been, or There Have Been: Understanding the Correct Usage

Language Resources

When choosing between there has been and there have been, it depends on the noun that follows. In my experience, this simple guide helped me stop making mistakes in English grammar during speaking and writing. A singular noun, uncountable noun, single thing, or one item takes there has been, while a plural noun, countable nouns, or many things take there have been.

 When talking, referring, or discussing a change in plans, some confusion, several accidents, many questions, or similar examples, always look at the noun first and then choose the correct form. This choice makes your usage more natural, improves your understanding, and follows standard correct usage and usage rules.

There Has Been, or There Have Been: The Basic Difference Explained

The main difference between there has been and there have been comes down to whether you are talking about one thing or more than one thing.

Use:

Expression	When to Use It	Example
There has been	A singular noun or an uncountable noun	There has been a mistake.
There have been	A plural noun or multiple items	There have been several mistakes.

The phrase there has been uses the singular helping verb has. It connects with one event, one object, or something that cannot be counted separately.

Examples:

• There has been a change in the schedule.
• There has been an increase in demand.
• There has been some confusion about the instructions.

In each example, the noun after the phrase is singular or uncountable:

• a change → one change
• an increase → one increase
• some confusion → an uncountable idea

On the other hand, there have been works with plural nouns.

Examples:

• There have been many changes in the schedule.
• There have been several complaints from customers.
• There have been unexpected problems during the project.

Here, the nouns are plural:

• changes
• complaints
• problems

A simple trick can help you remember:

One thing = has
Many things = have

Understanding the Role of “There” in Grammar

Many English learners make the mistake of thinking that “there” is the subject of the sentence. It is not.

In sentences beginning with there, the real subject usually appears after the verb. This is why the noun after there has been or there have been controls the grammar.

Look at these examples:

There has been a delay.

The real subject is delay.

There have been delays.

The real subject is delays.

The difference becomes clearer when you remove “there”:

• A delay has occurred.
• Delays have occurred.

The verb changes because the subject changes.

This structure is called an existential sentence. English uses this pattern to show that something exists, happens, appears, or occurs.

Common examples include:

• There is a problem.
• There are problems.
• There was an accident.
• There were accidents.
• There has been a mistake.
• There have been mistakes.

The same agreement rule appears throughout all of these forms.

When to Use “There Has Been” Correctly

You should use there has been when you mention one event, one situation, or one uncountable idea.

Singular Nouns

A singular noun represents only one person, place, thing, or event.

Examples:

• There has been a misunderstanding between the two teams.
• There has been a sudden change in the weather.
• There has been an accident on the highway.

Notice that each noun is singular:

• misunderstanding
• change
• accident

Even if the sentence feels like it talks about a larger situation, the grammar follows the noun.

For example:

❌ There have been a problem with the system.
✅ There has been a problem with the system.

The word problem is singular, so has is required.

Uncountable Nouns

Some nouns cannot be counted as individual items. These are called uncountable nouns.

Common uncountable nouns include:

Uncountable Noun	Correct Example
information	There has been information about the new policy.
progress	There has been progress in the research.
confusion	There has been confusion among students.
improvement	There has been performance improvement.
damage	There has been damage to the building.

You cannot normally say:

• two informations
• three progresses
• five confusions

Because these nouns are treated as singular ideas, they take has.

Examples from Daily Life

Imagine someone asking about a project:

Question: How is the project going?

Answer: There has been significant progress.

Here, progress is not counted as separate items, so has is correct.

Another example:

There has been a lot of excitement about the new product launch.

Although many people may feel excited, the noun excitement itself is uncountable.

When to Use “There Have Been” Correctly

Use there have been when you talk about two or more people, things, events, or situations.

Plural Countable Nouns

Plural nouns can be counted individually.

Examples:

• There have been several meetings this week.
• There have been many updates to the software.
• There have been three attempts to solve the issue.

The nouns are plural:

• meetings
• updates
• attempts

Because these nouns represent multiple items, they need have.

Multiple Events or Experiences

Sometimes you use there have been when discussing repeated events.

Examples:

• There have been many changes in technology over the years.
• There have been several discoveries in medical science.
• There have been countless discussions about this topic.

The number of events matters. If something happened multiple times, have usually fits.

A Quick Comparison Between “There Has Been” and “There Have Been”

Incorrect Sentence	Correct Sentence	Reason
There have been a mistake.	There has been a mistake.	“Mistake” is singular.
There has been many problems.	There have been many problems.	“Problems” is plural.
There have been some confusion.	There has been some confusion.	“Confusion” is uncountable.
There have been several accidents.	There have been several accidents.	“Accidents” is plural.

The fastest way to choose correctly is to ignore there for a moment and focus on the noun.

Ask yourself:

• Is it one thing?
• Is it more than one thing?
• Can I count it?

Your answer will usually reveal the correct verb.

Common Mistakes English Learners Make

Even advanced learners sometimes mix up these phrases because spoken English moves quickly. People often focus on the meaning and forget the grammar structure.

Here are the most common errors:

Mistake: Matching the Verb With “There”

Incorrect:

❌ There have been many people at the event.

Why is it wrong?

The word people is plural. The verb must match it.

Correct:

✅ There have been many people at the event.

Mistake: Ignoring Uncountable Nouns

Incorrect:

❌ There have been much confusion about the rule.

Correct:

✅ There has been much confusion about the rule.

The noun confusion cannot be counted, so it uses has.

Mistake: Following Sound Instead of Grammar

Sometimes a sentence sounds natural because people hear it often. However, common usage does not always mean correct usage.

For example:

❌ Therehaves been many reasons for the decision.

Many speakers may say this casually, but formal English requires:

✅ There have been many reasons for the decision.

The key is to train yourself to notice the noun after the phrase.

There Has Been, and There Have Been in Different Sentence Types

The expressions there has been and there have been do not only appear in simple statements. You will also find them in questions, negative sentences, formal writing, and everyday conversations. The grammar rule stays the same, but the sentence structure changes depending on what you want to express.

Understanding these patterns helps you communicate more naturally because you are not just memorizing a rule. You are learning how native speakers organize ideas.

Using “There Has Been” and “There Have Been” in Affirmative Sentences

Affirmative sentences simply state that something exists, happened, or occurred. These are the most common situations where you will see there has been and there have been.

Affirmative Sentences With “There Has Been”

Use there has been when the sentence talks about one event, one situation, or one uncountable idea.

Examples:

• There has been a significant improvement in customer service.
• There has been a delay in the delivery process.
• There has been an increase in online learning.
• There has been some disagreement among the team members.

In each example, the focus is on one main idea:

• improvement
• delay
• increase
• disagreement

Even when the impact is large, the grammar depends on the noun, not the size of the situation.

For example:

“There has been a major change in the company.”

The change may affect thousands of employees, but the noun change is still singular.

Affirmative Sentences With “There Have Been”

Use there have been when multiple things, events, or situations are mentioned.

Examples:

• There have been many improvements in technology.
• There have been several changes to the rules.
• There have been numerous discussions about climate change.
• There have been unexpected challenges during the project.

Here, the nouns are plural:

Plural Noun	Example
improvements	There have been improvements in healthcare.
changes	There have been changes to the agreement.
discussions	There have been discussions about the issue.
challenges	There have been challenges along the way.

A useful habit is to look immediately after been. The noun usually tells you whether to choose has or have.

Forming Negative Sentences With “There Has Been” and “There Have Been”

Negative sentences show that something has not happened or does not exist.

The basic structure is:

There + has/have + not + been + noun

Examples:

• There has not been a response from the company.
• There has not been enough time to finish the task.
• There have not been any major problems.
• There have not been many opportunities recently.

In everyday conversation, people often use contractions:

• There hasn’t been a problem.
• There haven’t been any complaints.

Both forms are correct. The contracted versions sound more natural in casual speech.

Comparing Positive and Negative Forms

Positive	Negative
There has been a mistake.	There has not been a mistake.
There have been problems.	There have not been problems.
There has been progress.	There has not been progress.
There have been changes.	There have not been changes.

Notice that adding does not change the agreement rule.

The noun still decides whether you use has or have.

Asking Questions With “There Has Been” and “There Have Been”

Questions often confuse learners because the word order changes. However, the same grammar principle remains.

The structure becomes:

Has/Have + there + been + noun?

Questions With “There Has Been”

Use has with singular or uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• Has there been a problem?
• Has there been any progress?
• Has there been a change in the schedule?
• Has there been enough research on this topic?

The nouns are:

• problem
• progress
• change
• research

They all work with has.

Questions With “There Have Been”

Use have with plural nouns.

Examples:

• Have there been any updates?
• Have there been many complaints?
• Have there been changes to the policy?
• Have there been new developments?

The nouns are plural:

• updates
• complaints
• changes
• developments

A simple question test:

Ask:

“Is my noun singular or plural?”

Then choose:

• Singular → Has there been…?
• Plural → Have there been…?

“There Has Been” vs. “There Have Been” in Formal and Informal English

Both expressions work in casual conversations and formal writing. The difference is not about formality. The difference is about grammar.

You can use these phrases in:

• Business emails
• Academic writing
• Reports
• News articles
• Everyday conversations
• Presentations

Examples in professional writing:

• There has been a noticeable increase in sales this quarter.
• There have been several improvements in workplace safety.

Examples in casual speech:

• There has been a lot of traffic today.
• There have been so many delays this morning.

The structure stays the same regardless of the situation.

There Has Been vs. There Was: Understanding the Difference

Many learners confuse there has been with there was because both talk about events that happened.

However, they describe time differently.

Expression	Meaning	Example
There has been	Something happened recently or connects to the present	There has been a problem with the website.
There was	Something happened and finished in the past	There was a problem with the website yesterday.

Compare these sentences:

There has been an accident on the road.

This suggests the accident matters now. Maybe traffic is still affected.

There was an accident on the road yesterday.

This simply reports a past event.

The present perfect form (has/have been) creates a connection between the past and now.

There Has Been vs. There Is

These expressions also show a difference between present situations and past-to-present situations.

Examples:

There is a problem with my computer.

This means the problem exists right now.

There has been a problem with my computer.

This means a problem occurred and may still affect the situation.

Another comparison:

• There is a mistake in this document.
• There has been a mistake in this document.

The first sentence focuses on the current condition.

The second sentence focuses more on the occurrence of the mistake.

There Has Been vs. There Have Been With Time Expressions

Time expressions often appear with these phrases.

Common examples include:

• recently
• lately
• over the years
• since
• for
• this week
• today
• so far

Examples:

• There has been a lot of progress this year.
• There have been many changes over the years.
• There has been increased interest in online education recently.
• There have been several improvements since last month.

These time expressions often signal that the action connects to the present.

Special Cases That Need Extra Attention

Most situations follow the basic rule. However, some cases require more careful thinking.

Compound Nouns With “And”

When two or more nouns are connected with and, they usually take have because they create a plural subject.

Examples:

✅ There have been delays and problems during the process.

Why?

Because there are two things:

• delays
• problems

Another example:

✅ There have been questions and concerns about the decision.

Both nouns work together as a plural idea.

However, if the entire phrase represents one single idea, singular agreement may sometimes appear.

Example:

• There has been research and development in this field.

Here, “research and development” works as one combined activity.

Collective Nouns and Agreement

Collective nouns describe groups:

• team
• family
• government
• company
• organization

Whether you use has or have depends on whether you see the group as one unit or as separate members.

Examples:

• There has been a change in the team.
• There have been disagreements among the team members.

The first sentence focuses on the team as one group.

The second focuses on individual members.

Amounts of Money, Time, and Distance

Amounts can sometimes look plural but act as singular ideas.

Examples:

• There have been ten years of progress.
• There has been $500 in damage.

These sentences treat the amount as one total measurement.

However:

• There have been ten separate incidents.
• There have been five payments.

The difference depends on what the number represents.

Meaning	Correct Form
One total amount	There has been
Separate countable items	There have been

A Simple Method to Choose Correctly Every Time

When you are unsure, follow these steps:

Step One: Find the noun

Ignore the word “there” and look after been.

Example:

There have been several opportunities.

The noun is opportunities.

Step Two: Check if it is singular or plural

• Opportunity → singular
• Opportunities → plural

Step Three: Check if it is countable

• Information → uncountable
• Books → countable

Step Four: Match the verb

• Singular or uncountable → has
• Plural → have

This method works in almost every situation.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced English learners sometimes make mistakes with there has been and there have been because the structure feels unusual. The word there appears first, but it does not control the verb. The noun that follows the phrase decides everything.

A small grammar habit can prevent most errors: always identify the real subject before choosing has or have.

Mistake: Using “There Has Been” With Plural Nouns

Incorrect:

❌ There has been many changes in the company.

Why is it wrong?

The noun changes is plural. A plural noun needs have, not has.

Correct:

✅ There have been many changes in the company.

More examples:

❌ There has been several accidents this month.
✅ There have been several accidents this month.

❌ There has been many reasons for his decision.
✅ There have been many reasons for his decision.

Mistake: Using “There Have Been” With Singular Nouns

Incorrect:

❌ There have been a problem with the computer.

The noun problem is singular, so it needs has.

Correct:

✅ There has been a problem with the computer.

More examples:

❌ There have been a misunderstanding between them.
✅ There has been a misunderstanding between them.

❌ There have been an increase in prices.
✅ There has been an increase in prices.

Mistake: Treating Uncountable Nouns as Plural

Uncountable nouns often confuse learners because they describe large amounts or general ideas.

Common uncountable nouns include:

• information
• advice
• progress
• knowledge
• research
• traffic
• equipment
• furniture

Examples:

❌ There has been much progress in this area.
✅ There has been much progress in this area.

❌ There have been some useful information available.
✅ There has been some useful information available.

Remember, an uncountable noun may describe something big, but grammar still treats it as singular.

Mistake: Copying Spoken English Without Checking Grammar

In everyday conversations, people sometimes make grammar mistakes. You may hear sentences that sound common but do not follow standard English rules.

For example:

“There’s been many problems lately.”

Many native speakers use this casually, especially in fast conversations. However, formal writing requires:

“There have been many problems lately.”

When writing:

• emails
• reports
• essays
• articles

it is better to follow standard grammar rules.

There Has Been, and There Have Been: A Quick Reference Guide

Situation	Correct Expression	Example
One event	There has been	There has been an accident.
One change	There has been	There has been a policy change.
Uncountable noun	There has been	There has been progress.
Several events	There have been	There have been many accidents.
Multiple changes	There have been	There have been several updates.
Plural nouns	There have been	There have been new opportunities.

This table gives you a quick answer when you need to choose between the two forms.

Historical Usage Trends: “There Has Been” vs. “There Have Been”

The structure there has been and there have been comes from a long tradition of English existential sentences. English speakers have used this pattern for centuries to describe the existence of people, events, situations, and ideas.

The word there originally had a location meaning, such as:

• There is a book on the table.
• There are people outside.

Over time, English expanded this structure to talk about events and experiences:

• There has been a change.
• There have been many discoveries.

Modern English uses these expressions constantly because they provide a natural way to introduce new information.

For example:

Instead of saying:

“A problem occurred with the system.”

A speaker may naturally say:

“There has been a problem with the system.”

This style sounds smoother because it focuses attention on the event rather than the person or thing causing it.

How “There Has Been” and “There Have Been” Work in Modern Communication

Today, these phrases appear everywhere:

• News reports
• Workplace communication
• Academic studies
• Social conversations
• Online discussions

Examples:

News Style

“There have been several reports of heavy rainfall across the region.”

The writer refers to multiple reports.

Business Style

“There has been a significant increase in customer demand.”

The writer discusses one overall trend.

Academic Style

“There have been numerous studies examining language development.”

The writer mentions many studies.

Everyday Conversation

“There has been a lot of traffic today.”

The speaker describes one general situation.

These examples show that grammar choices depend on meaning, not just memorization.

Related Grammar Patterns: Has Been, Have Been, and Had Been

Understanding there has been and there have been becomes easier when you understand similar verb patterns.

Has Been

Use has been with:

• he
• she
• it
• singular nouns

Examples:

• She has been busy.
• The machine has been working.
• The situation has been difficult.

Have Been

Use have been with:

• I
• you
• we
• they
• plural nouns

Examples:

• They have been waiting.
• We have been studying.
• The students have been practicing.

Had Been

Use had been when talking about something that happened before another past event.

Examples:

• There had been problems before the company changed its system.
• She had been working there for five years before she moved.

The timeline helps you choose the correct form.

Practice Zone: Test Your Understanding

Try choosing the correct option.

Fill in the Blanks

1. There ______ been a mistake in the report.
2. There ______ been several changes this year.
3. There ______ been some confusion about the instructions.
4. There ______ been many improvements in technology.
5. There ______ been an accident near the school.

Answers

1. There has been a mistake in the report.
2. There have been several changes this year.
3. There has been some confusion about the instructions.
4. There have been many improvements in technology.
5. There has been an accident near the school.

Find and Correct the Error

Sentence 1

❌ There have been many reasons for this decision.

Correction:

✅ There have been many reasons for this decision.

Reason: Reasons is plural.

Sentence 2

❌ There have been a major service improvement.

Correction:

✅ There has been a major service improvement.

Reason: Improvement is singular.

Sentence 3

❌ There have been some information missing from the file.

Correction:

✅ There has been some information missing from the file.

Reason: Information is uncountable.

Challenge Questions

Choose the correct answer:

Question 1

Which sentence is correct?

A. There have been many opportunities.
B. There have been many opportunities.

Answer: B

Explanation: Opportunities is plural.

Question 2

Which sentence is correct?

A. There has been enough evidence.
B. There have been enough evidence.

Answer: A

Explanation: Evidence is an uncountable noun.

Question 3

Which sentence is correct?

A. There have been a serious problem.
B. There has been a serious problem.

Answer: B

Explanation: Problem is singular.

Final Tips to Master “There Has Been” and “There Have Been”

Learning this grammar point does not require memorizing hundreds of examples. You only need a reliable method.

Keep these reminders in mind:

• Look at the noun after been.
• Singular nouns need has.
• Plural nouns need have.
• Uncountable nouns usually take has.
• Do not let the word there confuse you.
• Check the sentence meaning before making your choice.

Grammar becomes easier when you understand the reason behind a rule. Once you recognize the relationship between the verb and the noun, choosing between there has been and there have been becomes automatic.

Conclusion About There Has Been or There Have Been: Understanding the Correct Usage

Mastering There Has Been or There Have Been: Understanding the Correct Usage can make your English clearer, smoother, and more confident. Although these phrases look almost identical, the choice between them depends on one simple factor: the noun that follows. Remember that there has been works with singular or uncountable nouns, while there have been works with plural nouns. Once you understand this pattern, you no longer need to guess or pause while speaking. Good grammar comes from understanding how words connect, not from memorizing endless rules. Whether you are writing professionally, studying English, or improving everyday communication, using these expressions correctly helps your message sound natural and polished. Keep practicing, notice examples around you, and this grammar rule will soon become an effortless part of your English skills.

FAQs About There Has Been, or There Have Been: Understanding the Correct Usage

What is the difference between there has been and there have been?

The difference depends on the noun that follows the phrase. There has been is used with singular or uncountable nouns, while there have been is used with plural nouns. The noun controls the verb choice, not the word “there.”

When should I use there has been?

Use there has been when you are talking about one thing, one event, or an uncountable idea. Examples include “There has been a change” and “There has been progress.” The noun after the phrase determines that has is the correct choice.

When should I use there have been?

Use there have been when you mention multiple things, events, or plural nouns. For example, “There have been several improvements” is correct because improvements refers to more than one item or change.

Is there has been correct with uncountable nouns?

Yes, there has been is correct with uncountable nouns because English treats them as singular ideas. Words like information, progress, confusion, and research usually follow this structure when they describe something that cannot be counted individually.

Why do people confuse there has been and there have been?

Many learners confuse these phrases because “there” appears before the verb and seems like the subject. However, the real subject comes after the phrase. Looking at that noun helps you choose the correct form quickly.

Can I use there have been with a singular noun?

No, you should not use there have been with a singular noun. A singular noun needs there has been. For example, “There has been a problem” is correct, while “There have been a problem” is incorrect.

What is the difference between there has been and there was?

There has been connects a past event with the present situation, while there was usually refers to a completed event in the past. The choice depends on whether the event still has importance now.

Are there has been and there have been used in formal writing?

Yes, both expressions are common in formal writing, including reports, academic content, and professional communication. The important thing is using the correct form based on whether the following noun is singular, plural, or uncountable.

How can I remember the rule for there has been and there have been?

A simple memory trick is to focus on the noun. One thing or an uncountable idea uses has. More than one thing uses have. Checking the noun before choosing the verb will prevent most mistakes.

What are common mistakes with there has been and there have been?

Common mistakes include using has with plural nouns, using have with singular nouns, and treating uncountable nouns as plural. Learning to identify the real subject of the sentence helps avoid these errors.

Meta Description:
There Has Been, or There Have Been: Understanding the Correct Usage with simple rules, examples, and tips to improve your English grammar skills.