The phrases “There has been” and “There have been” are common in both written and spoken English. But if you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing which one to use, you’re not alone. Understanding the proper usage of these expressions can significantly improve the clarity and precision of your communication.
While the rule behind these phrases is relatively simple, applying it correctly requires an understanding of subject-verb agreement and context. In this blog post, we will break down everything you need to know about when to use “there has been” and “there have been,” dive deep into the grammatical rules, and provide helpful examples that will guide you in your everyday usage.
Singular vs. Plural: The Core Rule
The key to mastering “there has been” vs. “there have been” lies in understanding subject-verb agreement. Let’s start with the basics.
- “There has been” is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns.
- “There have been” is used with plural nouns.
Why Does This Matter?
English is a subject-verb agreement language, meaning that verbs must match the subject in number (singular or plural). In these cases, “has” is the singular form of the verb, and “have” is the plural form. Therefore, the noun that follows “there” helps determine the form of the verb to use.
When to Use “There Has Been”
We use “there has been” when referring to something that is singular or when talking about uncountable nouns.
Examples:
- “There has been a mistake.” (Singular subject: mistake)
- “There has been a change in the schedule.” (Singular subject: change)
- “There has been an increase in prices.” (Uncountable noun: increase)
It’s important to note that even if the noun seems plural in nature, “there has been” is still correct if the noun is uncountable or refers to a singular idea or event.
When to Use “There Have Been”
On the other hand, “there have been” is used when referring to plural nouns. This structure indicates that multiple events or things are being discussed.
Examples:
- “There have been several delays.” (Plural subject: delays)
- “There have been many changes in policy.” (Plural subject: changes)
- “There have been numerous complaints about the service.” (Plural subject: complaints)
In these cases, “have” aligns with the plural subject, and the meaning emphasizes the multiple nature of the subject being discussed.
Illustrative Examples in Real Sentences
To clarify further, let’s compare “there has been” and “there have been” in similar contexts. Consider the following examples:
Example 1: Mistakes
- Correct: There has been a mistake in the report.
- Incorrect: There have been a mistake in the report.
Why? Here, “mistake” is singular, so “has” should be used.
Example 2: Problems
- Correct: There have been several problems with the new system.
- Incorrect: There has been several problems with the new system.
Why? “Problems” is plural, so “have” is the correct choice.
Grammar Breakdown: The Mechanics of “Been”
The word “been” is the past participle form of the verb “be.” It combines with the auxiliary verbs “has” or “have” to form the present perfect tense. This tense expresses actions or states of being that occurred at some indefinite time in the past but are still relevant to the present.
- “There has been” = Present perfect tense with singular subject.
- “There have been” = Present perfect tense with plural subject.
So when you say, “There have been many complaints,” you’re referring to a series of complaints that occurred over time but are still significant to the current situation.
Using “There Has Been” and “There Have Been” in Different Contexts
Both “there has been” and “there have been” are commonly used in statements, questions, and negative sentences. Here’s a deeper dive into their application across various sentence structures.
Affirmative Statements
- There has been an increase in sales.
- There have been several reports of fraud.
Both structures are straightforward in affirmative statements. The key here is recognizing whether the noun is singular or plural, which determines the verb form.
Negative Statements
- There hasn’t been a single issue with the project.
- There haven’t been any changes in the plan.
In negative forms, “hasn’t” and “haven’t” are contractions of “has not” and “have not”, respectively. They follow the same rules as affirmative statements.
Questions
- Has there been a misunderstanding?
- Have there been any updates on the situation?
When forming questions, we invert the auxiliary verb “have” or “has” with the subject to create the question structure. The same principle of subject-verb agreement applies.
Special Cases and Exceptions
While the general rule is straightforward, there are a few exceptions and special cases to consider.
Mass Nouns vs. Countable Nouns
Some nouns can be tricky because they can appear plural but are treated as singular. For instance, “news” is a mass noun and takes the singular verb form.
- Correct: There has been a lot of news about the event. (Mass noun: news)
- Incorrect: There have been a lot of news about the event.
Similarly, “furniture” and “equipment” are also uncountable and take the singular form, so we say “There has been.”
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns like “team,” “family,” or “group” can be singular or plural depending on whether you view the noun as a single entity or as individual members.
- Correct: There has been a change in the team’s strategy. (Viewing the team as one unit)
- Correct: There have been changes in the team’s strategies. (Viewing the team as individual members)
Historical Usage and Language Evolution
Historically, “there has been” was used more frequently than “there have been” in everyday English, especially when referring to events or phenomena considered singular. However, over time, as usage became more precise, “there have been” became more common when discussing plural subjects.
Regional dialects also play a role. In British English, you may still hear a tendency to use “there has been” even with plural subjects, though this is generally considered informal or nonstandard.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Misusing “there has been” and “there have been” is surprisingly common, especially in spoken English. Let’s review some of the most frequent mistakes:
Mistake 1: Using “There have been” with Singular Nouns
- Incorrect: There have been a mistake in the report.
- Correct: There has been a mistake in the report.
Why? “Mistake” is singular, so it requires “has.”
Mistake 2: Using “There has been” with Plural Nouns
- Incorrect: There has been several issues with the software.
- Correct: There have been several issues with the software.
Why? “Issues” is plural, so the correct verb is “have.”
Quick Reference Guide (Cheat Sheet)
To help solidify the concepts above, here’s a quick reference guide:
| Subject | Verb | Example |
| Singular | Has been | There has been a change in the schedule. |
| Plural | Have been | There have been several changes in the schedule. |
| Uncountable Nouns | Has been | There has been an improvement in performance. |
Conclusion
Mastering the distinction between “there has been” and “there have been” isn’t just about following a rule. It’s about ensuring that your communication is clear, accurate, and natural. By understanding the grammatical mechanics and context behind these phrases, you can confidently choose the correct form in any situation.
Whether you’re writing emails, reports, or simply having a conversation, the ability to use “there has been” and “there have been” correctly will elevate your language skills and ensure you’re communicating effectively.
So the next time you come across these phrases, remember: singular nouns go with “has,” and plural nouns go with “have.” It’s a small distinction that makes a big difference!
FAQs: “There Has Been” vs. “There Have Been”
What is the main difference between “there has been” and “there have been”?
The main difference is that “there has been” is used with singular or uncountable nouns, while “there have been” is used with plural nouns.
Can “there has been” be used with plural subjects?
No, “there has been” should always be used with singular or uncountable nouns. For plural subjects, use “there have been.”
Is “there have been” correct in American and British English?
Yes, “there have been” is grammatically correct in both American and British English when referring to plural subjects. However, in informal British English, some speakers might incorrectly use “there has been” with plural nouns.
How do I know whether to use “has” or “have” in a sentence?
Look at the noun that follows:
- If it is singular or uncountable, use “has been.”
- If it is plural, use “have been.”
Can you give a quick trick to remember the correct usage?
Yes! If you can replace the subject with “it”, use “there has been.” If you can replace it with “they,” use “there have been.”
Example:
- There has been a problem. → It has been a problem.
- There have been problems. → They have been problems
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