If you have ever hesitated between there has been and there have been, you are dealing with a very common English grammar question. Both forms are correct, but they are used with different types of nouns. Choosing the right one depends mainly on whether the noun that follows is singular or plural.
The good news is that the rule is much easier than it may first appear. Once you understand the relationship between has/have and the noun that follows there has been or there have been, you can use both structures confidently. This guide explains the difference with simple examples, common mistakes, a comparison table, and useful tips for American and British English.
Quick Answer: There Has Been vs There Have Been
The basic rule is simple:
- There has been → use with a singular noun or an uncountable noun
- There have been → use with a plural noun
Examples:
There has been a problem.
Here, problem is singular, so we use has been.
There have been several problems.
Here, problems is plural, so we use have been.
Another example:
There has been a lot of rain.
Rain is an uncountable noun, so has been is used.
But:
There have been heavy rains in several areas.
Here, rains is plural, so have been is appropriate.
What Does There Has Been Mean?
There has been is used to say that something singular or uncountable has existed, happened, or occurred, usually from a point in the past up to the present.
The structure is:
There + has + been + singular or uncountable noun
For example:
There has been a delay.
This means a delay has occurred.
There has been an accident.
This means an accident has happened.
There has been significant progress.
Here, progress is generally treated as an uncountable noun, so has been is correct.
The expression is especially common when talking about recent events, situations, changes, or developments.
What Does There Have Been Mean?
There have been is used when the noun that follows is plural.
The structure is:
There + have + been + plural noun
For example:
There have been several delays.
There have been many changes.
There have been three meetings this week.
There have been some problems with the system.
In each example, the noun is plural:
- delays
- changes
- meetings
- problems
Therefore, have been is required.
The Main Difference Between There Has Been and There Have Been
The easiest way to remember the difference is to look at the noun immediately following been.
| Expression | Used With | Example |
|---|---|---|
| There has been | Singular noun | There has been a mistake. |
| There has been | Uncountable noun | There has been progress. |
| There have been | Plural noun | There have been mistakes. |
| There have been | Plural countable noun | There have been several meetings. |
The words there has been and there have been are both present perfect constructions.
The choice between has and have depends on the noun that comes after them.
There Has Been Examples
Here are some common examples:
There has been a change in the schedule.
There has been an increase in prices.
There has been a misunderstanding.
There has been a problem with my computer.
There has been considerable improvement.
There has been enough time to finish the work.
There has been heavy traffic this morning.
Notice that the nouns or noun phrases are singular or uncountable.
There Have Been Examples
Now compare them with plural nouns:
There have been several changes to the schedule.
There have been many complaints.
There have been two accidents today.
There have been some misunderstandings.
There have been significant improvements.
There have been delays because of bad weather.
There have been several opportunities to discuss the issue.
The nouns following there have been are plural.
There Has Been a vs There Have Been
A very common comparison is:
There has been a problem.
and:
There have been problems.
The first sentence refers to one problem.
The second refers to more than one problem.
This gives you a useful shortcut:
One → there has been
More than one → there have been
For example:
There has been a mistake in the report.
There have been several mistakes in the report.
There Has Been vs There Have Been With Numbers
Numbers can make the difference particularly easy to see.
There has been one meeting today.
There have been three meetings today.
There has been a single complaint.
There have been five complaints.
The number tells you whether the noun is singular or plural.
One = has been
Two or more = have been
There Has Been With Uncountable Nouns
One area that often causes confusion is uncountable nouns.
Many uncountable nouns are treated as singular in English.
Examples include:
- Information
- Advice
- Progress
- Research
- Traffic
- Equipment
- Money
- Furniture
- Weather
Therefore, we say:
There has been a lot of progress.
Not:
There have been a lot of progress.
Similarly:
There has been some useful information.
There has been heavy traffic today.
There has been enough research on the subject.
The noun may describe a large quantity, but grammatically it is still treated as singular or uncountable.
There Have Been With Plural Nouns
Countable nouns in the plural normally take there have been.
For example:
There have been many questions.
There have been several attempts.
There have been numerous discussions.
There have been two important developments.
There have been many opportunities for students.
The important point is that the noun is plural, not how long or complicated the sentence is.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Have With a Singular Noun
Incorrect:
There have been a problem.
Correct:
There has been a problem.
The noun problem is singular.
Mistake 2: Using Has With a Plural Noun
Incorrect:
There has been many problems.
Correct:
There have been many problems.
The noun problems is plural.
Mistake 3: Looking at the Word There
Some learners think there determines whether to use has or have.
It does not.
The important noun is the noun that follows been.
For example:
There has been a problem.
There have been problems.
The word there remains the same. The noun changes.
Mistake 4: Confusing Been With Being
These expressions are different:
There has been a problem.
There is a problem.
There is being a problem is generally not a natural way to express the same idea.
For events or situations that have occurred or existed, there has been or there have been is usually the appropriate present perfect construction.
There Has Been vs There Was
These expressions are related but not identical.
There was a problem yesterday.
This refers to a specific past situation.
There has been a problem.
This connects a past event or situation with the present.
For example:
There was a power outage last night.
This simply reports a past event.
There has been a power outage.
This can suggest that the event is relevant to the current situation.
The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a completed past event or its connection to the present.
There Have Been vs There Were
The same distinction applies to plural nouns.
There were several problems yesterday.
This describes a past situation.
There have been several problems recently.
This connects past events with the present period.
For example:
There were three meetings last month.
There have been three meetings this month.
The present perfect is particularly useful when the time period is unfinished or when the past events remain relevant now.
American vs British English
The grammar of there has been and there have been is essentially the same in American and British English.
Both varieties follow the same basic rule:
Singular or uncountable noun → there has been
Plural noun → there have been
For example:
There has been a significant change.
There have been several significant changes.
Both are standard in American and British English.
There can be differences between American and British English in how speakers use the present perfect in certain contexts, particularly when talking about recent events. However, this does not change the basic has/have agreement rule.
Is There Has Been Formal?
Yes. There has been is neutral and works in formal, professional, academic, and everyday English.
Examples:
There has been considerable progress in the research.
There has been a change in company policy.
There has been an increase in demand.
It is not limited to formal writing.
The same is true of there have been:
There have been several developments in the case.
There have been many changes over the past year.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
When you are unsure, temporarily ignore there has been or there have been and look at the noun.
Ask yourself:
Is it one?
Use:
There has been
Is it more than one?
Use:
There have been
Examples:
One issue → There has been an issue.
Several issues → There have been several issues.
Uncountable progress → There has been progress.
Many improvements → There have been improvements.
This simple technique works in most situations.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between there has been and there have been?
There has been is used with singular or uncountable nouns, while there have been is used with plural nouns.
2. Is there has been grammatically correct?
Yes. For example: There has been a mistake. It is correct because mistake is singular.
3. Is there have been grammatically correct?
Yes. For example: There have been several mistakes. It is correct because mistakes is plural.
4. Do I say there has been many or there have been many?
Say there have been many when the noun is plural.
Correct:
There have been many changes.
5. Do I say there has been a lot of or there have been a lot of?
It depends on the noun.
There has been a lot of progress.
But:
There have been a lot of changes.
Progress is uncountable, while changes is plural.
6. Is there has been used in American English?
Yes. It is standard and commonly used in American English.
7. Is there have been used in British English?
Yes. It is standard in British English as well.
8. What is an easy way to remember has been vs have been?
Look at the noun after been. A singular or uncountable noun takes has been, while a plural noun takes have been.
Final Summary
The difference between there has been and there have been is mainly a matter of subject-verb agreement. Use there has been with a singular noun or an uncountable noun, such as a problem, an accident, progress, or information. Use there have been with plural nouns, such as problems, accidents, changes, or meetings.
Both expressions are common in American and British English and can be used in casual, professional, and formal writing. The easiest way to choose the correct form is to identify the noun that follows been. If it is singular or uncountable, choose has. If it is plural, choose have.
