English grammar can become confusing when two phrases look almost identical but follow different agreement rules. “There has been” and “there have been” are a perfect example. Both are common in everyday English, yet choosing the right one depends on what comes after there.
The good news is that the rule is simpler than it first appears. You do not choose between “there has been” and “there have been” based on the word there. Instead, you look at the noun or noun phrase that follows the verb.
For example:
- There has been a problem with the website.
- There have been several problems with the website.
The first sentence uses has been because problem is singular. The second uses have been because problems is plural.
Once you understand this basic relationship, the difference becomes much easier to recognize in conversations, emails, reports, academic writing, and other forms of communication.
The Basic Difference Explained
The central difference between “there has been” and “there have been” is subject-verb agreement.
Although there appears at the beginning of these sentences, it is not the noun that determines whether you should use has or have. The verb agrees with the noun that comes after been.
Use “there has been” when the following noun is singular or uncountable:
There has been a change in the schedule.There has been some confusion about the instructions.“there have been” when the following noun is plural:There have been several changes in the schedule.There have been many complaints from customers.
This pattern is especially useful because both constructions use the present perfect. The phrase connects a situation or event in the past with the present.
Singular Nouns Take “There Has Been”
A singular countable noun normally requires has.There has been a delay.has been an accident.There has been one major improvement.There has been a misunderstanding.
Notice the noun immediately after been. Each noun refers to one person, thing, event, or situation.
A simple way to check the sentence is to remove there mentally:
A delay has been reported.
An accident has occurred.
You can then see why has fits the singular noun.
Plural Nouns Take “There Have Been”
A plural noun requires have.There have been several delays.There have been three accidents this year.There have been many improvements.There have been several misunderstandings.The noun is plural, so the verb must agree with it.
This rule remains the same even when other words appear between the verb and the noun:
There have been several unexpected changes.
The important noun phrase is several unexpected changes, which refers to multiple changes.
Uncountable Nouns Take “There Has Been”
Uncountable nouns are another important part of this grammar pattern.
Words such as information, advice, traffic, progress, equipment, research, and confusion are generally treated as singular in standard English when they are used as uncountable nouns.
Therefore, use “there has been”:There has been a lot of traffic today.There has been some progress.There has been enough research on the subject.There has been confusion about the new policy.
You would not normally say:
❌ There have been some information about the program.
Instead, say:
✅ There has been some information about the program.
If you want to count individual pieces of information, you can change the structure:
There have been several pieces of information about the program.
Here, pieces is plural, so have been is appropriate.
Understanding the Role in Grammar
The word there can perform different functions in English. That distinction matters when you’re learning why “there has been” and “there have been” work the way they do.
In sentences such as “There has been a problem,” the word there introduces the existence or occurrence of something. It does not identify the actual noun controlling verb agreement.
This construction is often called an existential there construction.
Consider:
There has been a problem with the printer.
The sentence tells you that a problem exists or has occurred. There introduces the sentence, but problem is the noun that determines the singular form has been.
Now compare:
There have been several problems with the printer.
The structure is nearly identical. The important difference is problems, which is plural. Therefore, the sentence uses have been.
Why “There” Does Not Control the Verb
A common mistake is to assume that there is the subject in the same way that a normal noun is.
That can lead to sentences such as:
❌ There has been several problems.
The speaker may choose has because there appears first. However, several problems is plural.
The standard form is:
✅ There have been several problems.
The same principle works in reverse:
❌ There have been a problem.
✅ There has been a problem.
The word there stays the same. What changes is the verb according to the noun that follows.
A Useful Mental Test
When you’re unsure, look beyond there.
Ask:
What is there?
If the answer is one thing, use has been.
What is there?
A problem.
→ There has been a problem.
If the answer contains multiple things, use have been.
What is there?
Several problems.
→ There have been several problems.
This quick test works well in both writing and speech.
When to Use Correctly
Use “there has been” when the noun or noun phrase that follows is singular or uncountable.
The phrase is particularly common when talking about something that started, happened, appeared, or existed in the past and still has relevance now.
For example:
There has been a change in the company’s policy.
The change happened previously, but it matters now.
Similarly:
There has been significant progress since the project began.
Progress is uncountable, so has been is the correct form.
Singular Nouns
Singular nouns are one of the clearest situations in which to use “there has been.”
Consider these examples:There has been a mistake in the report.There has been an update to the software.There has been a delay in the delivery.There has been one major issue with the plan.There has been a noticeable improvement in performance.Each sentence contains a singular noun phrase.The articles a and an can provide a useful clue. When the phrase after been begins with a or an, has been will often be the appropriate choice.
However, do not rely on the article alone. Focus on the grammatical number of the noun.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns refer to things that are not normally divided into individual units in their basic form.
Common examples include:
- information
- advice
- progress
- traffic
- equipment
- research
- knowledge
- confusion
- furniture
- money
When these nouns are used in their normal uncountable forms, use “there has been.”There has been some progress.There has been a lot of traffic.There has been new research on the topic.There has been too much confusion.There has been little improvement.
A frequent learner error is treating these nouns as plural because they refer to large quantities. But grammatical number is not the same as physical quantity.
For instance, information can refer to a large amount of material, but the noun itself remains uncountable.
✅ There has been a lot of information shared.
❌ There have been a lot of information shared.
If you want a plural construction, use a countable noun such as pieces:
There have been several pieces of information shared.
Examples from Daily Life
You encounter “there has been” in ordinary situations all the time.
At Home
There has been a strange noise upstairs.There has been a change in our plans.There has been some damage to the door.There has been a problem with the heating.
These sentences describe individual situations or uncountable conditions.
At Work
There has been a delay in the meeting.There has been a change in management.There has been some confusion about the deadline.There has been significant progress on the project.The same agreement rule applies in professional settings.
While Traveling
There has been a delay at the airport.There has been heavy traffic on the highway.There has been an accident near the exit.There has been a change in the departure time.These examples show how the construction naturally appears in announcements and everyday conversations.
In News and Public Information
There has been a major development in the investigation.There has been a change in local regulations.There has been an increase in demand.There has been considerable concern about the issue.This structure is common in news reports because the present perfect can connect a recent development with its current importance.
When to Use Correctly
Use “there have been” when the noun that follows is plural.
The construction commonly describes multiple events, changes, problems, experiences, people, or other countable things that have occurred or existed over a period of time.
For example:
There have been several changes to the schedule.
The noun changes is plural, so have been is required.
Likewise:
There have been many complaints about the service.
The noun complaints is plural, so the correct form is have been.
Plural Countable Nouns
Plural countable nouns can be counted individually.
Examples include:
- problems
- changes
- meetings
- accidents
- students
- questions
- opportunities
- mistakes
- events
- complaints
When these nouns follow the construction, use “there have been.”
There have been several meetings this month.There have been many questions about the new policy.There have been a few mistakes in the document.There have been several opportunities to improve the process.The number of items does not matter. Whether there are two items or two hundred, the noun is plural.
There have been two meetings this week.
There have been twenty meetings this year.
Both use have been because meetings is plural.
Multiple Events or Experiences
“There have been” is also useful when discussing several events or experiences that have happened over time.There have been several power outages this month.There have been many memorable moments during the trip.There have been a few unexpected delays.There have been several important developments since the announcement.The phrase often appears with time expressions such as recently, this week, this month, this year, so far, over the past few days, and in recent months.
For example:
There have been several updates this week.
There have been many changes over the past few years.
The present perfect makes the connection between past events and the current period especially clear.
A Quick Comparison Between
The fastest way to understand the difference is to compare the noun after been.
| Expression | Use With | Example |
| There has been | Singular countable noun | There has been a problem. |
| There has been | Uncountable noun | There has been some progress. |
| There have been | Plural countable noun | There have been several problems. |
| There have been | Multiple events | There have been many delays. |
Think of the rule this way:
Singular or uncountable → there has been
Plural → there have been
This rule remains useful even when the sentence becomes longer.
Compare:There has been a significant change in the policy.There have been several significant changes in the policy.The adjective significant does not affect agreement. The important words are change and changes.The same pattern appears with longer noun phrases:There has been a noticeable increase in demand.There have been several noticeable increases in demand.The first noun phrase is singular. The second is plural.
A Simple Side-by-Side Test
| Singular or Uncountable | Plural |
| There has been a problem. | There have been several problems. |
| There has been a delay. | There have been several delays. |
| There has been some confusion. | There have been many misunderstandings. |
| There has been an accident. | There have been several accidents. |
| There has been progress. | There have been improvements. |
If you can identify the noun as one item or an uncountable substance/idea, choose has.If you can count the noun as multiple individual items, choose have.That simple distinction prevents most errors with these two expressions.
Common Mistakes English Learners Make
English learners often make mistakes with “there has been” and “there have been” because the word there comes before the noun.
The sentence can sound natural when spoken quickly, especially when the noun is separated from the verb by several words. However, standard written English still requires correct subject-verb agreement.
Mistake: Matching the Verb With “There”
One of the most common errors is treating there as the noun that controls the verb.
Incorrect:
❌ There has been several changes.
Correct:
✅ There have been several changes.
The noun changes is plural. Therefore, the correct form is have been.
Another example:
❌ There have been a new problem.
Correct:
✅ There has been a new problem.
Here, problem is singular.
The solution is simple: do not let the first word determine the verb. Look for the noun that follows the construction.
Mistake: Ignoring Uncountable Nouns
Some nouns look as though they should be plural because they describe large amounts.
For example:
❌ There have been some useful information.
Correct:
✅ There has been some useful information.
Information is normally uncountable in standard English.
The same applies to nouns such as advice, research, progress, equipment, and furniture.There has been some useful advice.There has been more research.There has been considerable progress.There has been new equipment installed.If you need to make one of these ideas countable, use an appropriate countable expression.
There have been several pieces of advice shared.
More naturally, however, you might say:
Several useful suggestions have been shared.
Mistake: Following Sound Instead of Grammar
Spoken English can make agreement difficult to hear.
Consider:
There have been several changes.
When people speak quickly, have and been can blend. The sentence may sound different from how it appears in writing.
Likewise:
There has been a problem.
The reduced pronunciation can make the construction feel almost like a single expression.
That is why it helps to slow down and identify the noun.
Ask yourself:
What has or have been happening?
If the answer is a problem, use has.
If the answer is several problems, use have.
Grammar should guide the choice, even when pronunciation makes both forms seem similar.
In Different Sentence Types
The choice between these expressions does not change simply because you turn a statement into a negative sentence or a question. The noun still controls the agreement.
The same principle applies across different sentence structures.
Compare these forms:
Affirmative:
There has been a delay.
Negative:
There has not been a delay.
Question:
Has there been a delay?
With a plural noun:
Affirmative:
There have been several delays.
Negative:
There have not been several delays.
Question:
Have there been several delays?
The sentence structure changes, but the underlying agreement rule remains the same.
This makes the pattern easier to learn. You do not need a completely different grammar rule for every sentence type. You only need to identify whether the noun is singular, uncountable, or plural.
Affirmative, Negative, and Question Forms
| Sentence Type | Singular / Uncountable | Plural |
| Affirmative | There has been a problem. | There have been problems. |
| Negative | There has not been a problem. | There have not been problems. |
| Question | Has there been a problem? | Have there been problems? |
This table gives you a useful framework for the rest of the article.
The key remains unchanged:
Singular or uncountable nouns → has been
Plural nouns → have been
With that foundation in place, the affirmative, negative, and question forms become much easier to use accurately.
Using in Affirmative Sentences
Affirmative sentences state that something exists, happened, or has occurred. In these sentences, choosing between “there has been” and “there have been” depends on the noun that follows.
Use “there has been” with a singular or uncountable noun:
There has been a change in the schedule.
There has been some confusion about the instructions.
Use “there have been” with a plural noun:
There have been several changes in the schedule.
There have been many questions about the new policy.
The tense is the same in both forms. The difference comes from subject-verb agreement.
Affirmative Sentences With “There Has Been”
“There has been” works with singular nouns and uncountable nouns.
Here are some common examples:There has been a mistake in the report.There has been an improvement in her performance.There has been a delay in the delivery.There has been some progress on the project.There has been a noticeable increase in demand.There has been too much traffic this morning.
The phrase can describe something that happened recently or something that began earlier and remains relevant now.
For example:
There has been a change in the company’s policy.
The change happened at some point before now, but its effect matters in the present.
Another example is:
There has been a lot of discussion about the proposal.
The discussion may have happened over a period of time, and the speaker is reporting its relevance now.
Affirmative Sentences With “There Have Been”
Use “there have been” with plural countable nouns.
For example:
There have been several mistakes in the report.There have been many improvements this year.There have been three delays today.There have been several meetings about the project.There have been many questions from customers.There have been a few changes to the schedule.The noun after been is plural in each example.Compare these two sentences:There has been a change in the schedule.There have been several changes in the schedule.The meaning is similar, but the number of changes determines the verb.
This is one of the easiest ways to remember the rule.
Forming Negative Sentences
Negative sentences tell you that something has not happened, does not exist, or has not occurred during a relevant period.
To make these constructions negative, add not after has or have.
For a singular or uncountable noun:
There has not been a problem.
For a plural noun:
There have not been any problems.
In everyday English, contractions are also common:
There hasn’t been a problem.
There haven’t been any problems.
Both full and contracted forms are grammatically correct. The choice usually depends on the level of formality and the tone of the sentence.
Negative Forms With “There Has Been”
Use “there has not been” or “there hasn’t been” with singular and uncountable nouns.
Examples include:There hasn’t been a response yet.There hasn’t been any improvement.There hasn’t been a significant change.There hasn’t been much progress.There hasn’t been enough time to finish the task.
The noun remains singular or uncountable, so has remains the correct auxiliary.
Compare:
There has been a response.
There hasn’t been a response.
The affirmative and negative versions use the same agreement pattern.
With an uncountable noun:
There has been progress.
There hasn’t been much progress.
Adding not changes the meaning, but it does not change the agreement rule.
Negative Forms With “There Have Been”
Use “there have not been” or “there haven’t been” with plural nouns.
For example:There haven’t been any problems.There haven’t been many opportunities.There haven’t been enough meetings.There haven’t been any major delays.There haven’t been many complaints.
Notice that words such as any, many, enough, several, and a few can appear before plural nouns. They do not change the fact that the noun is plural.
Therefore:
There haven’t been several meetings.
is grammatically structured correctly, although its meaning may depend on context.
The same pattern works with questions and other sentence structures.
Comparing Positive and Negative Forms
A side-by-side comparison makes the pattern easy to recognize:
| Affirmative | Negative |
| There has been a delay. | There has not been a delay. |
| There has been some confusion. | There has not been much confusion. |
| There have been several delays. | There have not been several delays. |
| There have been many complaints. | There have not been many complaints. |
| There has been progress. | There has not been enough progress. |
The important point is that it does not affect subject-verb agreement.
The noun still determines whether you need has or have.
Asking Questions
Questions follow the same agreement principle, but the word order changes.
Instead of:
There has been a problem.
the question becomes:
Has there been a problem?
For a plural noun:
There have been several problems.
becomes:
Have there been several problems?
The auxiliary verb moves before there.
This creates an important difference in word order, but the basic grammar remains the same.
Questions With “There Has Been”
Use “has there been” when the noun is singular or uncountable.
Examples:Has there been a change?Has there been a delay?Has there been an update?Has there been any progress?Has there been enough time to complete the work?
These questions ask whether one event, one situation, or an uncountable amount exists or has occurred.
For example:
Has there been a change in the schedule?
A natural answer could be:
Yes, there has been a change.
Or:
No, there hasn’t been a change.
The question and answer maintain the same agreement.
Questions With “There Have Been”
Use “have there been” when the noun is plural.
Examples:Have there been any problems?Have there been several complaints?Have there been many changes?Have there been any delays?Have there been enough meetings about this issue?
Compare:
Has there been a problem?
with:
Have there been any problems?
The first asks about one problem. The second asks about multiple problems.
This distinction becomes especially important when using any, because any can occur with both singular and plural nouns:
Has there been any problem?
Have there been any problems?
The noun, not any, determines the verb.
Formal and Informal English
Both expressions are standard English and can appear in formal and informal contexts.
You might hear them during casual conversations:
There has been a mix-up with the tickets.
There have been a few changes.
You can also find them in formal writing:
There has been a significant increase in operating costs.
There have been several developments in the field.
The grammar does not change simply because the context becomes more formal.
What may change is the vocabulary surrounding the phrase.
Compare the informal:
There have been a lot of problems with the app.
with the more formal:
There have been several technical issues with the application.
Both sentences use there have been because problems and issues are plural.
Informal Conversation
In everyday speech, contractions are extremely common:There hasn’t been much time.There haven’t been many problems.Has there been any news?Have there been any updates?These forms sound natural and conversational.
In very casual speech, people sometimes use agreement patterns that differ from careful standard writing. However, spoken habits should not automatically be copied into formal written English.
Formal and Professional Writing
In professional writing, the full forms may sometimes sound more deliberate:
There has not been sufficient evidence to support the claim.There have not been any significant changes to the policy.The contracted versions are not necessarily incorrect. However, full forms can create a more formal tone.The important issue is still agreement.There has not been a significant change.There have not been significant changes.
Changing the noun from singular to plural changes hwhat as to have.
Understanding the Difference
“There has been” and “there was” can both describe something that happened or existed in the past, but they do not always communicate the same time relationship.
“There has been” uses the present perfect. It often connects a past event or situation to the present.
“There was” uses the simple past. It usually describes something that happened at a finished point or period in the past.
Compare:
There has been a problem with the system.
This suggests the problem is relevant now.
Now consider:
There was a problem with the system yesterday.
The word yesterday identifies a completed past period, so the simple past is natural.
Present Perfect With “There Has Been”
Use “there has been” when the situation has a connection to the present.
There has been a lot of rain this week.
The week is still connected to the present.
There has been a change in the policy.
The change remains relevant.
There has been some confusion about the new rules.
The confusion may still matter now.
The present perfect is especially common with periods that include the present moment.
Simple Past With “There Was”
Use “there was” for a completed past time.There was a meeting yesterday.There was an accident last night.There was a problem earlier this morning.There was a major storm in 2024.
The exact context can affect the choice, but a finished time expression often favors the simple past.
Compare:
There has been an accident.
There was an accident yesterday.
The first emphasizes the current relevance of the accident. The second places it within a completed past time.
There Has Been vs. There Is
The difference between “there has been” and “there is” is mainly about time and aspect.
“There is” describes a present situation.
“There has been” describes something that has existed, occurred, or developed before now and has a connection to the present.
Compare:
There is a problem with the printer.
This tells you that the problem exists now.
There has been a problem with the printer.
This tells you that a problem has occurred or existed, with some connection to the present.
The distinction becomes clearer with context:
There is a delay at the airport.
The delay is happening now.
There has been a delay at the airport.
A delay has occurred and is relevant to the current situation.
Both forms can be useful. Choose the one that accurately expresses the time relationship.
With Time Expressions
Time expressions frequently appear with the present perfect.
Common examples include:
- recently
- lately
- so far
- this week
- this month
- this year
- in recent years
- over the past few days
- over the last few months
- since Monday
- since the beginning of the year
These expressions often indicate a period that continues to include the present.
For example:There has been a lot of activity this week.There have been several meetings this month.There has been significant progress so far.There have been many changes in recent years.
The time expression does not determine has or have. The noun still does.
The nouns improvement, discussion, and increase are singular or uncountable.
Plural Noun With a Time Expression
There have been several improvements this year.There have been many discussions recently.There have been several increases in demand over the past few months.
Here, the nouns are plural.
A useful warning is that time expressions can make sentences longer and more complicated, but they do not change the core agreement rule.
Look at the noun first.
There has been a change this week.
There have been several changes this week.
That small difference is the key to using these forms correctly.
Special Cases That Need Extra Attention
The basic rule for “there has been” and “there have been” works in most situations. However, some sentence structures can make subject-verb agreement less obvious.
Compound nouns, collective nouns, and expressions involving amounts can create confusion because the words around the main noun may distract you from the actual grammatical number.
The safest approach is to identify the noun or noun phrase that follows been and determine whether it is singular, uncountable, or plural.
Compound Nouns With “And”
When two nouns are joined by and, they usually form a plural subject.
For example:There have been a manager and two assistants at the meeting.There have been several delays and cancellations this week.There have been changes in the schedule and updates to the policy.
The conjunction and normally combines two or more elements. Therefore, have been is generally appropriate.
Compare this with a singular noun:There has been a manager at the meeting.The change from one noun to a compound subject changes has to have.
However, context can sometimes affect how a compound expression is understood.
For example:
There has been a rise and fall in prices.
Here, a rise and fall can be understood as one overall pattern or movement. The singular construction can therefore be natural when the two nouns are treated as a single combined idea.
Still, when two clearly separate things are being introduced, plural agreement is normally expected:
There have been a rise and a fall in prices.
The repeated article a makes the two separate nouns more obvious.
Collective Nouns and Agreement
Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things viewed as a unit.
Examples include:
- team
- committee
- family
- company
- government
- audience
- staff
- group
When a collective noun is singular in the sentence, use “there has been.”There has been a committee meeting every Friday.There has been a team working on the project.There has been a large group outside the building.
However, if you are talking about several separate groups, use “there have been.”There have been several teams working on the project.There have been two committees involved in the process.There have been several groups at the event.
The key distinction is not whether a collective noun represents many individuals. It is whether the noun itself is grammatically singular or plural.
For example, team can contain many people, but the word team is singular:
There has been a team working on the project.
The plural teams requires:
There have been several teams working on the project.
Amounts of Money, Time, and Distance
Expressions involving money, time, distance, weight, and other measurements require special attention.
A measurement can represent one overall amount even though it contains multiple units.
For example:
There has been five dollars missing from the register.
Here, five dollars can be understood as one total amount of money. The singular verb can therefore be appropriate when the amount is treated as a single sum.
Similarly:
There have been ten minutes of silence.
The expression ten minutes represents one period of time.
Another example is:
There has been twenty miles of road damage.
Here, the distance is treated as one overall measurement.
However, if the sentence refers to separate countable units, plural agreement may be necessary:There have been five-dollar bills missing from the register.The noun bills is plural, so have been is required.This distinction is useful:There has been five dollars missing.There have been five bills missing.
In the first sentence, the amount is viewed as one total sum. In the second, there are five separate objects.
The same principle can apply to time:
There have been two hours of discussion.
There have been two meetings lasting an hour each.
The first treats two hours as one period of discussion. The second refers to multiple meetings.
When a measurement appears after there has been or there have been, consider whether you are describing one overall amount or several separate countable units.
A Simple Method to Choose Correctly Every Time
If you frequently hesitate between “there has been” and “there have been,” use a short checking method.
Step One: Find the Noun
Look beyond there and identify the noun or noun phrase that follows been.There has been a problem.The key noun is problem.There have been several problems.The key noun is problems.
Step Two: Decide Whether It Is Singular or Plural
Ask whether the noun refers to one countable item or multiple countable items.
Problem is singular.
Problems is plural.
Therefore:
There has been a problem.
There have been problems.
Step Three: Check for an Uncountable Noun
If the noun cannot normally be counted in its basic form, it is often uncountable.There has been some information.There has been a lot of research.There has been considerable progress.
These nouns take has been in standard usage.
Step Four: Ignore Distracting Words
Adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, and other modifiers can make the sentence look complicated.
Consider:
There have been several unexpected changes in the company’s internal scheduling system.
The sentence is long, but the important noun is changes.
It is plural.
Therefore, have been is correct.
Now consider:
There has been a significant increase in customer demand during the past several months.
The important noun is increase.
It is singular.
Therefore, has been is correct.
Step Five: Read the Sentence Again
After choosing the verb, read the complete sentence naturally.
There has been a noticeable improvement in service.
There have been several noticeable improvements in service.
If the noun and verb agree, the sentence should sound grammatically balanced.
This five-step method is especially helpful when writing quickly.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced English learners can make mistakes with “there has been” and “there have been.” The problem often occurs when a sentence contains extra words between the verb and the noun.
The best solution is to focus on the grammatical structure instead of relying only on how the sentence sounds.
Mistake: Using “There Has Been” With Plural Nouns
A very common error is:
❌ There has been several problems with the software.
The noun problems is plural, so has is incorrect.
Correct:
✅ There have been several problems with the software.
Another example:
❌ There has been many changes to the schedule.
Correct:
✅ There have been many changes to the schedule.
Words such as several, many, numerous, various, and a few usually signal a plural noun.
When you see them, check whether the noun that follows is plural.
Mistake: Using “There Have Been” With Singular Nouns
The reverse error is also common:
❌ There have been a serious problem with the equipment.
Correct:
✅ There has been a serious problem with the equipment.
The word problem is singular.
Another example:
❌ There have been an unexpected delay.
Correct:
✅ There has been an unexpected delay.
The article a or an often provides a useful clue because it normally introduces a singular countable noun.
Mistake: Treating Uncountable Nouns as Plural
Some English nouns are commonly misunderstood because their meanings involve large quantities.
For example:
❌ There have been a lot of information about the event.
Correct:
✅ There has been a lot of information about the event.
Likewise:
❌ There have been much progress.
✅ There has been much progress.
And:
❌ There have been some advice available online.
✅ There has been some advice available online.
If you need a plural construction, use a suitable countable expression:
There have been several pieces of information about the event.
There have been several suggestions available.
The choice depends on the noun, not the amount of material being discussed.
Mistake: Copying Spoken English Without Checking Grammar
Natural conversation can be fast, reduced, and informal. Speakers may also produce agreement patterns that would not be preferred in carefully edited writing.
For example, you may hear a sentence that sounds like:
There have been lots of changes lately.
In standard written English, the more appropriate form is:
There have been lots of changes lately.
Why?
Because changes is plural.
The fact that a construction occurs in everyday speech does not automatically make it the best choice for formal writing.
This distinction matters when preparing:
- academic assignments
- professional emails
- reports
- applications
- presentations
- business documents
- published content
When writing, pause long enough to identify the noun controlling the verb.
A Quick Reference Guide
The entire rule can be summarized in a simple reference chart.
| Noun Type | Correct Form | Example |
| Singular countable noun | There has been | There has been a problem. |
| Uncountable noun | There has been | There has been some progress. |
| Plural countable noun | There have been | There have been several problems. |
| Several separate events | There have been | There have been many delays. |
| One overall amount | Usually there has been | There has been five dollars missing. |
| Multiple countable units | There have been | There have been five bills missing. |
The Core Rule
Remember this simple formula:
There has been + singular or uncountable noun
There have been + plural noun
Examples:There has been a change.There has been some confusion.There have been several changes.There have been many questions.
The word there does not determine the form.
The noun does.
Quick Error Check
Before submitting a sentence, ask:
What noun comes after “been”?
Then ask:
Is that noun singular, uncountable, or plural?If it is singular or uncountable, choose has.If it is plural, choose have.This quick check can prevent many common agreement errors.
Historical Usage Trends
The constructions “there has been” and “there have been” have a long history in English because existential there constructions have been used for centuries.
Their basic grammatical relationship has remained stable. Singular noun phrases generally take singular agreement, while plural noun phrases generally take plural agreement.
Modern English also shows a strong tendency toward natural spoken patterns. In conversation, speakers may produce variations in agreement, particularly when a plural noun follows the verb at some distance.
However, carefully edited English generally maintains agreement with the grammatical subject or notional subject associated with the existential construction.
For learners, the historical development is less important than the modern rule:
There has been a problem.
There have been several problems.
The distinction remains clear in contemporary standard English.
Why the Construction Can Feel Confusing
The unusual word order contributes to the confusion.
In a straightforward sentence, the subject normally appears before the verb:
Several problems have occurred.
But an existential construction changes the arrangement:
There have been several problems.
Because there appears first, learners may instinctively connect the verb with there rather than with problems.
The structure becomes easier once you recognize that there introduces the existence or occurrence of something.
Compare:
A problem has occurred.
There has been a problem.
The two sentences communicate closely related information, but the second uses existential there.
Likewise:
Several problems have occurred.
becomes:
There have been several problems.
Seeing these pairs can make the grammar much easier to understand.
How it works in Modern Communication
These expressions remain extremely common because they provide a natural way to report events, developments, changes, and situations.
They are useful when the speaker or writer wants to introduce something that exists or has happened without making that thing the opening focus of the sentence.
The construction appears across many forms of communication.
News Style
News writing frequently uses the present perfect to report recent developments.
Examples include:There has been a significant development in the investigation.There have been several updates since the announcement.There has been growing concern about the situation.There have been multiple reports of delays.The construction allows writers to present information that has a current connection.
Business Style
Business communication often uses these phrases to describe changes, problems, progress, and developments.
For example:There has been a change in the delivery schedule.There have been several changes to the company’s procedures.There has been significant progress on the project.There have been concerns about the current process.
The wording is professional without sounding unnecessarily complicated.
Academic Style
Academic writing also uses “there has been” and “there have been” when discussing trends, research, developments, and observations.
For example:There has been considerable interest in language acquisition.There have been several studies examining the issue.There has been increasing attention to the role of technology.There have been numerous attempts to explain the phenomenon.
In academic contexts, the surrounding vocabulary may be more formal, but the agreement rule remains the same.
Everyday Conversation
In everyday speech, these constructions are often shortened through contractions.
For example:
There has been a mistake.
may become:
There’s been a mistake.
Similarly:
There have been several changes.
may become:
There’ve been several changes.
The contraction “there’s been” is especially common in conversation. It can represent “there has been” in this context.
However, “there’s” can also mean “there is,” so context matters.
For example:
There’s been a delay.
means:
There has been a delay.
But:
There’s a delay.
means:
There is a delay.
The difference is subtle in speech but important in writing.
Related Grammar Patterns
Understanding “there has been” and “there have been” becomes easier when you understand the broader pattern involving has been, have been, and had been.
These verb phrases belong to different perfect constructions.
Has Been
Has been is used with singular third-person subjects in the present perfect.
Examples:She has been busy.The machine has been working well.There has been a problem.
The present perfect connects a past situation or action with the present in some way.
Have Been
Have been is used with plural subjects and with I, you, and we in the present perfect.
Examples:
They have been busy.
We have been waiting.
There have been several problems.
The same agreement principle appears in existential constructions.
Had Been
Had been is the past perfect form.
It is used when one past situation happened before another past point or event.
For example:
There had been a problem before the technician arrived.
There had been several delays before the flight finally departed.
Unlike has been and have been, had been does not change according to singular or plural nouns.
Compare:There had been a problem.There had been several problems.The auxiliary remains had in both cases because the past perfect does not distinguish singular and plural in this way.
This comparison helps clarify why has and have require closer attention in present-perfect existential constructions.
Practice Zone: Test Your Understanding
Practice is one of the best ways to make “there has been” and “there have been” feel natural. The basic rule is simple, but applying it to different sentence structures helps you recognize the correct form more quickly.
Remember:
There has been + singular or uncountable noun
There have been + plural noun
Try the exercises below before checking the answers.
Fill in the Blanks
Choose has been or have been to complete each sentence.There ______ a problem with the printer.There ______ several changes to the schedule.There ______ some confusion about the instructions.There ______ many questions from the audience.There ______ an unexpected delay.There ______ several delays at the airport.There ______ significant progress on the project.There ______ a few mistakes in the report.There ______ an increase in customer demand.There ______ many improvements since last year.
Take a moment to identify the noun that follows been. That noun determines whether you need has or have.
Answers
The correct answers are:
There has been a problem with the printer.
Problem is singular.
There have been several changes to the schedule.
Changes is plural.
There has been some confusion about the instructions.
Confusion is uncountable.
There have been many questions from the audience.
Questions is plural.
There has been an unexpected delay.
Delay is singular.
There have been several delays at the airport.
Delays is plural.
There has been significant progress on the project.
Progress is uncountable.
There have been a few mistakes in the report.
Mistakes is plural.
There has been an increase in customer demand.
Increase is singular.
There have been many improvements since last year.
Improvements is plural.
The important thing is not simply memorizing the answers. Notice the pattern behind every answer.
Find and Correct the Error
The following sentences contain agreement errors. Identify the problem and rewrite each sentence correctly.
Sentence 1
There have been several changes to the company’s policy.
The noun changes is plural, so have been is required.
Correct version:
There have been several changes to the company’s policy.
Sentence 2
There have been a serious problem with the equipment.
The noun problem is singular. Therefore, the sentence needs has been.
Correct version:
There has been a serious problem with the equipment.
Sentence 3
There have been some useful information in the report.
The noun information is normally uncountable. Therefore, it takes has been in this construction.
Correct version:
There has been some useful information in the report.
These errors all come from the same underlying issue: the verb does not agree with the noun that follows it.
Challenge Questions
Now consider a few less obvious examples. These sentences require you to look beyond the most noticeable words.
Question 1
Which sentence is correct?
There has been several unexpected developments.
or
There have been several unexpected developments.
The second sentence is correct.
Developments is plural, so the sentence requires have been.
There have been several unexpected developments.
Question 2
Which sentence is correct?
There has been a lot of progress on the project.
or
There have been a lot of progress on the project.
The first sentence is correct.
Progress is an uncountable noun, so it takes has been.
There has been a lot of progress on the project.
The phrase a lot of does not automatically require have. The noun that follows still determines the agreement.
Question 3
Choose the better form:
There has been three meetings this week.
or
There have been three meetings this week.
The second sentence is correct.
Meetings is plural, so use have been:
There have been three meetings this week.
The number three reinforces the fact that the noun refers to multiple countable events.
Final Tips to Master
The difference between “there has been” and “there have been” becomes much easier when you stop focusing on the word there.
The word there introduces the existence or occurrence of something. The noun that follows the verb is what matters for agreement.
Use “there has been” with a singular noun:
There has been a problem.
Use “there has been” with an uncountable noun:
There has been some progress.
Use “there have been” with a plural noun:
There have been several problems.
That is the central rule.
Focus on the Noun
Whenever you hesitate, find the noun after been.
There has been a delay.
There have been several delays.
The difference between delay and delays determines the verb.
Do not let the word there distract you.
Watch for Uncountable Nouns
Words such as information, advice, progress, research, equipment, traffic, and confusion can cause problems because they often describe large amounts but remain grammatically uncountable.
Use:
There has been some information.
Not:
❌ There have been some information.
If you want a plural form, choose a countable expression:
There have been several pieces of information.
Do Not Let Extra Words Confuse You
Long noun phrases can hide the word controlling agreement.
Consider:
There have been several unexpected changes to the company’s internal reporting procedures.
The sentence contains many words, but changes is the key noun.
Likewise:
There has been a significant increase in online customer activity.
The important noun is increase.
When a sentence feels complicated, mentally remove the modifiers.
There have been changes.
There has been an increase.
The correct form becomes much easier to see.
Remember the Present Perfect
Both “there has been” and “there have been” are present-perfect constructions.
They often describe situations or events that happened before now and remain relevant to the present.
There has been a change in the schedule.
There have been several changes in the schedule.
If you are describing a completed event at a finished past time, the simple past may be more appropriate:
There was a meeting yesterday.
Understanding this difference helps you choose not only the correct agreement but also the appropriate tense.
Be Careful With Questions
The word order changes in questions:
Has there been a problem?
Have there been any problems?
The same agreement rule remains active.
Singular or uncountable → has there been
Plural → have there been
The position of there does not change what controls the verb.
Be Careful With Negative Sentences
The same pattern applies to negatives:
There hasn’t been a problem.
There haven’t been any problems.
Adding does not change the noun’s number.
The singular form remains has.
The plural form remains have.
Do Not Rely Only on Pronunciation
In casual conversation, contractions can make these forms difficult to distinguish.
For example:
There has been a problem.
often becomes:
There’s been a problem.
Similarly, speakers may reduce other parts of the sentence when talking quickly.
When writing, use the grammatical structure rather than relying on sound.
Use This Quick Decision Rule
When you need to choose between the two forms, ask:
What comes after “been”?
If it is one countable thing, choose:
There has been
If it is an uncountable noun, choose:
There has been
If it is more than one countable thing, choose:
There have been
This simple question solves most cases.
Final Quick Guide
| Situation | Correct Form | Example |
| One person or thing | There has been | There has been a problem. |
| Singular event | There has been | There has been an accident. |
| Uncountable noun | There has been | There has been some progress. |
| Multiple people or things | There have been | There have been several problems. |
| Multiple events | There have been | There have been several meetings. |
| Negative singular | There hasn’t been | There hasn’t been a delay. |
| Negative plural | There haven’t been | There haven’t been any delays. |
| Singular question | Has there been | Has there been a change? |
| Plural question | Have there been | Have there been any changes? |
| Past perfect | There had been | There had been several problems before. |
A Final Look at the Grammar
The phrases “there has been” and “there have been” may seem interchangeable at first glance. They are not.
The correct choice depends primarily on the noun or noun phrase that follows.
There has been a problem.
There have been several problems.
The first sentence uses has because problem is singular. The second uses have because problems is plural.
The same principle applies to negative statements and questions:
There hasn’t been a problem.
There haven’t been any problems.
Has there been a problem?
Have there been any problems?
Uncountable nouns generally follow the singular pattern:
There has been some progress.
Once you learn to identify the noun controlling agreement, these constructions become much more predictable.
The Easiest Rule to Remember
Keep this formula in mind:
Singular or uncountable = there has been
Plural = there have been
Do not choose the verb because there appears first. Look at the noun.
That one habit can prevent most mistakes.
Final Grammar Checklist
Before using “there has been” or “there have been,” check these points:
- Identify the noun after been.
- Decide whether it is singular, uncountable, or plural.
- Use has been with singular nouns.
- Use has been with uncountable nouns.
- Use have been with plural nouns.
- Check whether the time expression supports the present perfect.
- Use has there been for singular or uncountable questions.
- Use have there been for plural questions.
- Do not let extra words distract you from the main noun.
- Review the sentence before using it in formal writing.
With these habits, choosing between “there has been” and “there have been” becomes a straightforward grammar decision rather than a guessing game.
Conclusion
Choosing between there has been and there have been becomes much easier when you focus on the noun that follows the phrase. Use there has been with a singular or uncountable noun, while there have been works with plural countable nouns. The word there does not control the verb. The noun or noun phrase after the verb does.
This simple agreement rule can help you write clearer emails, essays, reports, conversations, and everyday messages. Remember that there has been often connects a past situation to the present, while there was usually refers to a completed past situation. With regular practice, these forms will start to feel natural. When you pause and identify the noun, choosing the correct form becomes far more straightforward.
FAQs
Is “there has been” grammatically correct?
Yes, there has been is grammatically correct when it introduces a singular noun or an uncountable noun. For example, “There has been a problem” uses the singular noun problem. Likewise, “There has been some confusion” is correct because confusion is uncountable. The auxiliary has agrees with the noun that follows the phrase.
Is “there have been” grammatically correct?
Yes, there have been is correct when the following noun is plural and countable. For example, “There have been several changes” and “There have been many complaints” are grammatically correct. The plural noun determines the use of have. In standard English, the verb should agree with the noun introduced by the existential there construction.
What is the difference between “there has been” and “there have been”?
The main difference is noun agreement. Use there has been before a singular or uncountable noun, such as “There has been an accident” or “There has been progress.” Use there have been before plural nouns, such as “There have been accidents” or “There have been improvements.” The following noun helps you choose correctly.
Should I say “there has been problems” or “there have been problems”?
In standard English, say there have been problems. The noun problems is plural, so it requires have rather than has. Although you may hear forms such as “there has been problems” in informal speech or certain dialects, there have been problems is the appropriate choice for standard written and professional English.
Do you use “has” or “have” after “there”?
You use has or have according to the noun that follows the phrase. A singular or uncountable noun takes has, while a plural noun takes have. For example, “There has been a delay” is correct, while “There have been several delays” is correct. The word there itself does not determine the verb.
Is “there has been” used with uncountable nouns?
Yes. There has been commonly appears with uncountable nouns because they are grammatically singular. Examples include “There has been some progress,” “There has been enough information,” and “There has been little research.” Even when an uncountable noun refers to a large quantity, it normally takes has, not have, in this construction.
What is the difference between “there has been” and “there was”?
There has been is the present perfect form and often connects a past event or situation with the present. There was is the simple past and generally describes something that existed or happened at a completed time. For example, “There has been a change” emphasizes current relevance, while “There was a change yesterday” focuses on the past.
Can I say “there’s been” instead of “there has been”?
Yes. There’s been is a common contraction of there has been, especially in conversation and informal writing. For example, “There’s been a misunderstanding” is natural. However, remember that there’s can also mean there is. The surrounding noun and context make the intended meaning clear. In formal writing, the full form may be preferable.
How do I make a negative sentence with “there has been” or “there have been”?
Use there hasn’t been with a singular or uncountable noun, and there haven’t been with a plural noun. For example, “There hasn’t been enough time” is correct, while “There haven’t been any delays” uses the plural form. The same subject-verb agreement rule applies in negative sentences.
How can I remember whether to use “there has been” or “there have been”?
Look at the noun immediately following the phrase. If it is singular or uncountable, choose there has been. If it is plural, choose there have been. A useful habit is to temporarily ignore there and identify the real noun. This quick check makes the correct form much easier to recognize.