When writing in English, learners, native speakers, and even advanced users often stumble over two nearly identical phrases, There Has Been or There Have Been, which can confuse readers if used incorrectly. Real world examples and daily conversations show that knowing exactly when and how to use each form is essential to avoid misunderstood situations or awkward sentences. Over the years, I’ve typed countless emails, blog posts, and reports, and noticed that many writers guess the form without understanding the subject or structure clearly.
From my experience, There Has Been fits singular references, while There Have Been works for plural ones, like a puzzle where every piece must fit the number of subjects correctly. Many people overlook subtle differences and momentarily pause, doubt, or slip, thinking the phrase is flexible. Once you understand this, your writing becomes strong, clear, and professional, whether you’re speaking, chatting, or typing emails in a classroom or coffee setting.
Learning these rules also boosts your confidence and authority in writing. Following grammar rules, applying subject-verb agreement, and matching the correct form with the number of nouns avoids awkward sentences and improper structure. Mastering these differences elevates your communication impact, clarity, fluency, and overall message strength. Keeping a notebook of examples and reminding yourself of the right usage makes writing simple, effective, and accurate for any audience.
Why “There Has Been” vs “There Have Been” Matters
This isn’t just a grammar detail. It shapes how your writing sounds.
When you get it wrong:
- Your sentence feels off
- The reader notices the mistake
- Your credibility drops a bit
For example:
- ❌ There has been many problems
- ✅ There have been many problems
That small change makes a big difference. One sounds awkward. The other feels natural and polished.
If you write emails, reports, or even social posts, this matters more than you think.
The Core Rule (Simple and Clear)
Let’s cut through the noise.
The verb must match the noun that comes after “been.”
Not “there.” Never “there.”
Quick Rule
- Singular noun → There has been
- Plural noun → There have been
Examples
- There has been a delay
- There have been delays
That’s the rule. Clean and reliable.
Understanding the Structure (So You Never Guess Again)
At first glance, the sentence seems simple. It isn’t.
Basic Pattern
There + has/have + been + noun
The Key Insight
The word “there” is not the subject. It’s just a placeholder.
The real subject appears later in the sentence.
Example Breakdown
- There has been a mistake
→ Subject = mistake (singular) - There have been mistakes
→ Subject = mistakes (plural)
Fast Trick
Always look to the right. That’s where the answer lives.
When to Use “There Has Been” (Singular Cases)
Use “there has been” when you’re talking about one thing or something uncountable.
Singular Examples
- There has been a problem
- There has been a change
- There has been an error
Uncountable Nouns
These always take “has been”:
- Information
- Progress
- Advice
- News
Real-Life Examples
- There has been significant progress this year
- There has been useful information shared
Even if they feel plural, they act as singular.
When to Use “There Have Been” (Plural Cases)
Use “there have been” when more than one thing is involved.
Plural Examples
- There have been many changes
- There have been several meetings
- There have been multiple errors
Simple Check
If you can count it, it’s probably plural.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Situation | Correct Form | Example |
| One item | There has been | There has been a delay |
| Multiple items | There have been | There have been delays |
| Uncountable noun | There has been | There has been progress |
| Several events | There have been | There have been meetings |
The Hidden Grammar Rule Most People Miss
Here’s the part that clears everything up.
“There” Is a Dummy Subject
It doesn’t control the verb. It doesn’t carry meaning.
It only exists to start the sentence.
Why This Confuses You
Your brain sees “there” first. It wants to match the verb with it.
That leads to mistakes like:
- There has been many issues
But the real subject is later.
Why Your Brain Gets It Wrong
You don’t speak using grammar rules. You speak naturally and fast.
That creates habits like:
- There’s been many problems
- There has been several issues
These sound okay in conversation. They don’t work in proper writing.
Key Insight
Spoken English often bends rules. Writing shouldn’t.
Tense Explained: What Does “Been” Do?
Both phrases use the present perfect tense.
What That Means
They connect the past with the present.
Examples
- There has been a problem
→ It happened earlier and still matters - There have been issues
→ Multiple things happened and still matter
Why It Matters
This tense shows:
- Ongoing relevance
- Recent impact
- Continuity
Questions, Negatives, and Contractions
Questions
- Has there been a delay?
- Have there been any updates?
Negatives
- There hasn’t been any progress
- There haven’t been many changes
Contractions
Use them in casual writing:
- There’s been a problem
Avoid them in formal work:
- There has been a problem
The Most Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
These mistakes show up everywhere.
Mistake One: Matching the Wrong Word
❌ There has been many issues
✅ There have been many issues
Mistake Two: Ignoring the Subject
❌ There has been several reasons
✅ There have been several reasons
Mistake Three: Mixing Singular and Plural
❌ There has been problems and delays
✅ There have been problems and delays
Mistake Four: Overcomplicating Sentences
Sometimes, simpler works better.
Instead of:
- There have been many changes
Try:
- Many changes have occurred
Mistake Five: Writing Like You Speak
Speech is flexible. Writing needs precision.
Tricky Edge Cases You’ll Actually Encounter
Some situations feel confusing. Let’s clear them up.
Collective Nouns
- There has been a team working
- There have been teams working
Focus on whether it’s one unit or multiple.
Indefinite Quantifiers
- There has been a lot of confusion
- There have been many complaints
The noun after the phrase decides the verb.
Compound Subjects
- There have been delays and errors
- There has been a delay and a mistake (sometimes treated as one unit)
Delayed Subjects
Long phrases can hide the noun.
- There have been a series of unexpected events
Focus on events, not the whole phrase.
Context Matters More Than You Think
Grammar doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Context shapes your choices.
Formal Writing
- Use full forms
- Avoid contractions
- Stay precise
Casual Writing
- Contractions are fine
- Tone can be relaxed
Pro Tip
Clear writing always wins over complex writing.
Mini Case Studies (Real-World Examples)
Business Email
❌ There has been several issues with the system
✅ There have been several issues with the system
This small fix instantly improves professionalism.
News Style Sentence
- There have been multiple reports of outages
This sounds clear and authoritative.
Everyday Conversation
- There’s been a problem
- There have been problems
Both work depending on context.
Quick Self-Check Framework
Use this quick method every time.
Steps
- Find the noun
- Decide singular or plural
- Match with has or have
- Read it out loud
If it sounds natural, you’re good.
Visual Cheat Sheet
Keep this in mind:
- One thing → has been
- More than one → have been
- Uncountable → has been
Quick Reference Table
| Type | Example | Correct Form |
| Singular | a problem | has been |
| Plural | many problems | have been |
| Uncountable | progress | has been |
| Multiple events | several meetings | have been |
Conclusion
Mastering There Has Been or There Have Been is key to clear, professional, and confident writing. Understanding singular versus plural usage ensures your sentences flow naturally, your message is strong, and your communication is precise. Regular practice, reviewing examples, and keeping a notebook of tricky cases helps you avoid confusion, boosts authority, and makes your writing effective for any audience. Even subtle differences, if overlooked, can affect clarity, but applying these rules consistently makes your writing smooth and reliable.
FAQs
Q1: When should I use “There Has Been”?
Use There Has Been for singular nouns or references. Example: “There has been one change in the schedule.”
Q2: When should I use “There Have Been”?
Use There Have Been for plural nouns or references. Example: “There have been several updates this week.”
Q3: Can I mix these phrases in one paragraph?
Yes, but make sure each phrase matches the number of the subject it refers to. Singular stays with has been, plural with have been.
Q4: How do I remember which one to use?
Think of it like a puzzle: each piece (noun) must fit the form. Practice with real-world examples and writing exercises.
Q5: Does this rule affect speaking as well?
Absolutely. Using the correct form in speech shows proper grammar and helps you sound fluent and confident.
