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

Grammatical accuracy is essential for effective communication, and one area where many people get tripped up is the use of “there has been” versus “there have been.” 

These two phrases, while sounding similar, require careful attention to subject-verb agreement to ensure clarity. 

The distinction is often subtle but impactful, and getting it right can elevate the quality of your writing, whether you’re crafting an email, a blog post, or a formal report.

In this article, we will break down the key rules for using “there has been” and “there have been,” providing clear examples, practical tips, and a deeper understanding of the common mistakes people make. 

By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident about when to use each phrase, improving your grammar and overall communication skills. 

Whether you’re a student, professional, or someone just wanting to brush up on your grammar, you’ll find this guide to be both informative and easy to follow.

Grammatical Foundation: Subject-Verb Agreement

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

At its core, subject-verb agreement means ensuring the verb in a sentence matches the subject in number. This means that singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. Simple, right? However, English grammar can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to phrases like “there has been” and “there have been.”

Before diving into the differences between these two phrases, let’s first look at how subject-verb agreement works with there as the subject.

The Role of “There” in These Phrases

In both “there has been” and “there have been,” the word “there” functions as a dummy subject—meaning it’s not the subject that determines the verb tense. Instead, the verb depends on what follows “there”. To put it simply, the subject of the sentence (after “there”) controls whether the verb should be singular or plural. Let’s break it down further.

When to Use “There Has Been”

Singular Subjects Require “Has”

When the subject following “there” is singular, we use “has been.” This is one of the most common rules that will guide your decisions on which form to use. Singular subjects include individual items, people, concepts, or events.

Examples of Using “There Has Been”:

• “There has been a mistake.”
  In this example, the subject—”a mistake”—is singular, so “has been” is the correct verb choice.
  
• “There has been a significant increase in sales.”
  The subject here, “a significant increase,” is singular, thus requiring “has.”
  
• “There has been a shift in the market trends.”
  “A shift” is singular, so again we use “has been.”
  

Concepts and Collective Nouns with Singular Meaning

Sometimes, collective nouns or concepts that represent a single entity or idea will take a singular verb. Even though these terms may seem like they refer to multiple parts or individuals, they are considered singular in this context.

Examples:

• “There has been a change in the policy.”
  Here, “a change” is singular, despite being related to multiple people or aspects of the policy.
  
• “There has been a problem with communication.”
  “A problem” is singular, so “has been” is the correct form.
  

When to Use “There Have Been”

Plural Subjects Require “Have”

On the flip side, when the subject following “there” is plural, we use “have been.” Plural subjects include more than one person, thing, or event.

Examples of Using “There Have Been”:

• “There have been several mistakes.”
  “Several mistakes” is plural, so the verb “have been” is correct.
  
• “There have been many opportunities for growth.”
  “Many opportunities” is plural, and “have been” matches the plural subject.
  
• “There have been numerous meetings this week.”
  Here, “meetings” is plural, so “have been” is the right choice.
  

Multiple Events or Items

Another case where you would use “there have been” is when referring to multiple occurrences or items.

Example:

• “There have been many challenges to overcome.”
  “Many challenges” is plural, so we use “have been.”

Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings

Confusing Subject Number

One of the most common errors people make is confusing whether the subject following “there” is singular or plural. This confusion often leads to the wrong form of the verb being used.

Incorrect Example:

• “There has been many errors.”
  Here, “many errors” is plural, so the correct form should be “There have been many errors.”
  

Corrected Example:

• “There have been many errors.”
  

Collective Nouns Confusion

Another area that causes confusion is collective nouns. These are nouns that represent a group, such as “team,” “family,” or “group.” While these words may seem like they refer to multiple people, they are treated as singular when they refer to a whole entity.

Example:

• Incorrect: “There has been a group of people waiting.”
  
• Correct: “There has been a group of people waiting.”
  

Even though a group consists of multiple people, “group” is treated as singular.

Advanced Considerations

Uncountable vs. Countable Nouns

When using there has been or there have been, the type of noun matters. Uncountable nouns (e.g., “water,” “advice”) are treated as singular, while countable nouns (e.g., “books,” “ideas”) are treated as plural.

Examples:

• Uncountable Noun Example:
  
  • “There has been water spilled.”
    “Water” is uncountable, so it takes “has been.”
    
• Countable Noun Example:
  
  • “There have been several books on the shelf.”
    “Books” is countable, so it takes “have been.”
    

Present Perfect Tense with “There”

Both “there has been” and “there have been” are in the present perfect tense, which is used to express actions that started in the past and continue to the present. It’s crucial to remember that the number of the subject (singular or plural) still dictates whether “has” or “have” is used.

Example:

• “There has been a change in the schedule.”
  “A change” is singular, so it requires “has.”
  
• “There have been changes in the schedule.”
  “Changes” is plural, so “have” is used.
  

Practical Tips to Avoid Mistakes

Tip 1: Identify the Subject

The first step to getting the right verb form is identifying the subject after “there.” Ask yourself: Is the subject singular or plural? Once you determine that, it will be easier to choose between “has” and “have.”

Tip 2: Simplify the Sentence

If you’re unsure, remove the word “there” and simplify the sentence. This can often make it easier to identify the correct verb.

Example:

• “There has been a delay.”
  Simplified: “A delay has occurred.”
  Since “a delay” is singular, you know to use “has been.”
  

Tip 3: Use Contractions for a Natural Tone

If you’re writing informally, it’s perfectly fine to use contractions. This makes your writing sound more natural and conversational.

Example:

• “There’s been an issue.”
  Instead of “There has been,” “There’s” makes the sentence more conversational.
  

FAQs: “There Has Been” vs. “There Have Been”

1. What’s the difference between “There has been” and “There have been”?

• “There has been” is used when the subject that follows is singular.
  
• “There have been” is used when the subject that follows is plural.
  

For example:

• “There has been a delay.” (singular subject)
  
• “There have been several delays.” (plural subject)
  

2. Can I always use “there” in the sentence?

No, “there” is a dummy subject in these phrases. It’s only used when we want to introduce the existence of something or indicate the presence of something. The key is to focus on the subject that comes after “there” to determine whether to use “has” or “have.”

3. Is “there has been” grammatically correct for plural subjects?

No, “there has been” should only be used with singular subjects. For plural subjects, “there have been” is the correct choice.

For example:

• Correct: “There have been many opportunities.” (plural subject)
  
• Incorrect: “There has been many opportunities.”
  

4. Why is “There has been” used with collective nouns?

Collective nouns like “team,” “group,” or “family” are treated as singular when referring to the entity as a whole. Even though a collective noun refers to multiple people or things, the verb remains singular.

For example:

• “There has been a change in the team’s strategy.” (singular “team”)
  
• “There has been a discussion about the family’s future.” (singular “family”)
  

5. Can I use contractions with “there has been” or “there have been”?

Yes, contractions are often used in informal speech or writing. “There has been” becomes “there’s been,” and “there have been” becomes “there’ve been” (though this is less common). Contractions help make the sentence sound more natural and conversational.

For example:

• “There’s been a misunderstanding.” (informal)
  
• “There’ve been many changes.” (informal, less common)

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the key differences between “there has been” and “there have been.” By now, you should understand that singular subjects require “has” and plural subjects require “have.” We’ve covered common mistakes, advanced considerations, and practical tips for avoiding errors. Mastering this distinction will improve your writing clarity and help you communicate more effectively.

So, next time you’re writing, remember: when in doubt, check the subject that follows “there.” Is it singular or plural? That’s the key to using the correct form of the verb.