When learning English, even small words can create a big difference. There Has Been or There Have Been helps curious learners pause and wonder, since they look almost identical but carry subtle differences in meaning, professional writing, or conversation, and this single verb choice signals mastery of subject-verb agreement at an advanced level, letting you write better, confidently, and precisely.
Focus on context: there has been fits singular nouns or uncountable things, while there have been suits plural nouns or multiple occurrences. Paying attention to this subtle shift ensures your writing sounds polished. A well-placed pause when deciding which form to use prevents mistakes and keeps your sentences flow naturally, whether in practice, conversation, or formal writing.
Master this by reviewing real examples, following clear rules, and applying them in practical application. When you understand exactly how each form fits naturally, your credibility doesn’t dip, and you can communicate confidently. Over time, curious learners gain precision, clarity, and a hang of these subtle differences, making their English more professional, whether in conversation or written sentences.
Why “There Has Been” vs “There Have Been” Actually Matters
Grammar is not decoration. It shapes authority.
When you use there has been correctly in a business report, you signal control over structure. When you choose there have been accurate in academic writing, you show mastery of agreement.
Readers may not consciously analyze your verb choice. Still, they feel it.
Here’s where this distinction shows up most:
- Corporate reports
- Academic research papers
- Journalism and media coverage
- Legal documentation
- Performance reviews
- Data summaries
- Executive communication
A small shift from singular to plural changes meaning. It changes accuracy. It changes trust.
That’s why this rule deserves precision.
The Core Rule Behind “There Has Been” and “There Have Been”
Here’s the truth most people miss:
“There” is not the subject.
It only looks like one.
In sentences like:
- There has been a delay.
- There have been several delays.
The real subject appears after the verb.
That noun controls the verb.
The Structural Formula
Existential structure follows this pattern:
There + auxiliary verb + been + noun phrase
The noun phrase determines whether you use:
- has (singular or uncountable noun)
- have (plural noun)
That’s it. The noun decides the verb.
If the noun is singular or uncountable, use there has been.
If the noun is plural, use there have been.
Simple in theory. Tricky in practice.
Understanding Existential “There” Sentences
English uses “there” as a placeholder. Linguists call this an existential construction.
Its purpose is simple: introduce existence.
Instead of saying:
A problem has occurred.
You can say:
There has been a problem.
The focus shifts. The structure emphasizes existence rather than action.
This construction appears heavily in:
- News headlines
- Formal reports
- Research findings
- Situation updates
It creates a neutral tone. It foregrounds information. It sounds objective.
That’s why mastering there has been vs there have been becomes essential in professional writing.
When to Use “There Has Been”
Use there has been when the noun following “been” is singular or uncountable.
Grammatical Pattern
There + has + been + singular noun
There + has + been + uncountable noun
Examples with Singular Count Nouns
- There has been a delay in shipment.
- There has been an incident at the facility.
- There has been a misunderstanding.
- There has been a change in policy.
Each noun is singular. Each requires has.
Examples with Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns always take singular agreement.
- There has been confusion about the deadline.
- There has been progress this quarter.
- There has been traffic on the highway.
- There has been information leaked.
Even though “traffic” feels large, it is grammatically singular.
Even though “information” sounds plural in meaning, it remains singular in structure.
That’s why there has been is correct in these cases.
Case Study: Corporate Memo Example
Incorrect Version
There have been significant progress in our expansion strategy.
Why It’s Wrong
“Progress” is uncountable. It cannot take plural agreement.
Correct Version
There has been significant progress in our expansion strategy.
One letter changes the sentence. One agreement decision protects credibility.
When to Use “There Have Been”
Use there have been when the noun following “been” is plural.
Grammatical Pattern
There + have + been + plural noun
Examples with Plural Count Nouns
- There have been multiple delays.
- There have been several complaints.
- There have been changes in management.
- There have been improvements in productivity.
“Delays” is plural.
“Complaints” is plural.
“Changes” is plural.
So you use have.
Professional Examples
- There have been three system outages this month.
- There have been revisions to the contract.
- There have been fluctuations in revenue.
Plural noun. Plural agreement. No exceptions.
Count vs Uncountable Nouns: The Hidden Trap
Most confusion comes from noun classification.
Here’s a quick reference table:
| Noun | Type | Correct Structure |
| Information | Uncountable | There has been information |
| Advice | Uncountable | There has been advice |
| Equipment | Uncountable | There has been equipment delivered |
| Issues | Plural | There have been issues |
| Errors | Plural | There have been errors |
| Research | Uncountable | There has been research |
Writers often say:
There have been research studies.
This is wrong if “research” stands alone.
Correct structure:
There has been research conducted.
There have been research studies conducted.
Notice the difference. “Studies” becomes the plural noun. That shifts the verb.
Tense Precision: Why “Been” Changes Meaning
The phrase “has been” or “have been” forms the present perfect tense.
Present perfect connects the past to the present.
Compare:
- There was a problem.
- There has been a problem.
“There was” places the issue in the past. It may be resolved.
“There has been” suggests relevance to the present moment.
Timeline Breakdown
| Structure | Time Meaning |
| There was | Past only |
| There has been | Past with present relevance |
| There have been | Past events continuing into present |
That nuance matters in reports.
Example:
There have been security breaches this year.
The year is still ongoing. The issue remains relevant.
Questions with “There Has Been” and “There Have Been”
Interrogative form simply inverts the auxiliary verb.
Singular Question
Has there been a response?
Plural Question
Have there been complaints?
Notice how the noun still controls agreement.
Negative Forms
Negatives follow the same logic.
- There has not been an update.
- There have not been updates.
Contractions can appear in informal writing:
- There hasn’t been an update.
- There haven’t been updates.
However contractions like “there’ve” sound awkward and rarely appear in professional contexts.
Avoid them in formal writing.
Advanced Agreement Scenarios
Most grammar guides stop at singular vs plural. Real writing demands more.
Compound Nouns
Consider:
There has been a rise and fall in prices.
“A rise and fall” functions as a single conceptual unit. It remains singular.
Now compare:
There have been increases and decreases in demand.
“Increases and decreases” clearly forms a plural pair. Use have.
Quantifiers
Quantifiers can mislead.
- A number of issues → plural
- The number of issues → singular
Correct usage:
There have been a number of issues.
There has been a number of issues reported.
The first focuses on “issues.” The second focuses on “number.”
Precision changes structure.
Collective Nouns in American English
In American English collective nouns usually take singular verbs.
- Team
- Committee
- Staff
- Management
Example:
There has been a committee decision.
Even though a committee includes multiple people, it functions as a singular unit.
British English sometimes treats collective nouns as plural. American English typically does not.
Common Mistakes That Undermine Authority
Misidentifying the Subject
Writers see the word “there” and mistakenly treat it as the subject.
It is not.
The real subject follows the verb.
Being Distracted by Prepositional Phrases
Consider:
There has been a series of errors.
“Errors” is plural but the true subject is “series.” That noun is singular.
Correct verb: has
Overcorrecting Based on Sound
People say:
There’s been many problems.
This is incorrect. “Problems” is plural.
Correct version:
There have been many problems.
Sound can deceive you. Structure never does.
Editing Strategy That Catches Errors Fast
When proofreading, follow this process:
- Locate “there has been” or “there have been.”
- Identify the noun immediately after “been.”
- Ignore any prepositional phrases.
- Determine if that noun is singular, plural, or uncountable.
- Match the verb accordingly.
Five seconds. Error solved
Sentence Transformation Drill
Incorrect:
There has been many changes implemented.
Correct:
There have been many changes implemented.
Incorrect:
There have been significant improvement.
Correct:
There has been significant improvement.
Practice builds instinct.
Case Study: Business Communication Breakdown
Original Internal Announcement
There has been several updates to the compliance framework. There have been a significant improvement in oversight.
Two agreement errors. Both weaken professionalism.
Revised Version
There have been several updates to the compliance framework. There has been significant improvement in oversight.
Now the message reads clean. Confidence. Controlled.
Academic Example: Research Abstract
Incorrect
There have been extensive research conducted on this topic.
Correct
There has been extensive research conducted on this topic.
There have been extensive research studies conducted on this topic.
The noun determines the verb. Always.
Quick Master Table: “There Has Been” vs “There Have Been”
| Noun Type | Correct Form | Example |
| Singular count noun | There has been | There has been a delay |
| Plural count noun | There have been | There have been delays |
| Uncountable noun | There has been | There has been progress |
| Series / number | There has been | There has been a series of events |
| A number of | There have been | There have been a number of cases |
Memorize the pattern. Apply it instantly.
Fast Decision Checklist
Before finalizing your sentence ask:
- What noun follows “been”?
- Is it singular?
- Is it plural?
- Is it uncountable?
- Does the verb match it?
That clarity eliminates hesitation.
Why This Rule Becomes Automatic
Grammar feels confusing when explained vaguely.
It becomes simple when reduced to structure.
You are not choosing randomly between there has been and there have been.
You are matching a verb to a noun.
Once you train your eye to spot the real subject, the decision takes less than a second.
Writers who master this detail gain:
- Stronger professional tone
- Cleaner academic prose
- More persuasive communication
- Greater reader trust
Language precision signals mental precision.
And that’s why mastering there has been vs there have been is not trivial. It is foundational.
When the noun is singular or uncountable, use there has been.
When the noun is plural, use there have been.
The structure never lies.
Once you internalize that pattern, hesitation disappears.
Confidence replaces doubt.
And your writing immediately sounds sharper, clearer, and more authoritative.
Conclusion
Understanding There Has Been or There Have Been is essential for mastering English at both a conversational and professional writing level. There has been applies to singular nouns or uncountable things, while there have been is for plural nouns or multiple occurrences. Paying attention to context, subtle differences, and subject-verb agreement ensures your sentences flow naturally and sound polished. With practical examples, clear rules, and consistent practice, you can communicate confidently, gain precision, and make your writing better and more professional.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between there has been and there have been?
There has been is used with singular nouns or uncountable things, while there have been is used with plural nouns or multiple occurrences.
Q2. When should I use there has been?
Use there has been when referring to a single event, uncountable item, or one specific situation.
Q3. When should I use there have been?
Use there have been when referring to multiple events, plural items, or several occurrences in the past.
Q4. How can I remember which form to use?
Think: singular or uncountable = there has been, plural = there have been. Context is your guide.
Q5. Can I use there has been in conversation?
Yes, there has been is correct in conversation, but it’s often used for formal or professional contexts, while there have been is more flexible.
Q6. What are common mistakes with there has been and there have been?
A common mistake is mixing singular and plural forms, such as saying there have been a problem instead of there has been a problem, which breaks subject-verb agreement.
