There has been or There have been: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: Both phrases are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes. Use there has been with singular subjects and there have been with plural subjects. The choice depends entirely on whether the noun following the verb is singular or plural.
The Short Answer
There has been is used with singular subjects, while there have been is used with plural subjects. Both are standard English forms that exist to match the number of the noun.
People often confuse them because the words there has or there have appear at the start of the sentence. The true subject usually comes after the verb, making it easy to misjudge the agreement.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| There has been | Correct | The subject following the verb is singular |
| There have been | Correct | The subject following the verb is plural |
| Present Perfect | Tense | Describing an action starting in the past and continuing now |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | Rule | Ensuring the verb matches the number of the subject |
Correct Example Sentences
- There has been a significant delay in the project timeline due to weather.
- There have been several complaints about the noise level in the office.
- There has been no response to the email sent yesterday morning.
- There have been many changes to the software update over the last week.
- There has been a mistake in the calculation of the final total.
- There have been two accidents reported on the highway this morning.
- There has been an increase in sales since the new campaign launched.
- There have been diverse opinions regarding the proposed policy changes.
- There has been a shortage of supplies at the local grocery store.
- There have been positive reviews from customers about the new menu.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- There have been a lot of excitement about the event.
- There has been a lot of excitement about the event.
- There has been many people waiting outside the door.
- There have been many people waiting outside the door.
- There have been a single solution to the problem.
- There has been a single solution to the problem.
- There has been several errors in the report.
- There have been several errors in the report.
- There have been a new manager hired this week.
- There has been a new manager hired this week.
- There has been various reasons for his absence today.
- There have been various reasons for his absence today.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Cover up the phrase there has or there have and look only at the main noun. If you can replace the noun with he, she, or it, use has been. If you can replace it with they, use have been.
Related Word Pairs
- Its vs It's
- Use its for possession and it's as a contraction for it is.
- Their vs There
- Use their for ownership and there to indicate a place or existence.
- Loose vs Lose
- Use loose for not tight and lose for failing to keep something.
- Effect vs Affect
- Use effect for a noun result and affect for a verb action.
- Your vs You're
- Use your for possession and you're as a contraction for you are.
More Example Sentences
- There has been a sudden drop in temperature this morning.
- There have been numerous attempts to solve the complex equation.
- There has been little progress on the construction site lately.
- There have been several updates to the terms of service.
- There has been a noticeable improvement in his handwriting.
- There have been many questions regarding the new parking regulations.
- There has been an error in the shipping address provided.
- There have been conflicting reports about the cause of the blackout.
- There has been a shortage of qualified applicants for the role.
- There have been minor adjustments to the schedule for next week.
Quick Practice
There been a lot of rain in the valley this season.
has
There been many different theories proposed by the scientists.
have
There been a change in the management style since last month.
has
There been several accidents on this road during winter.
have
There been no sign of life in the abandoned building.
has
There been five candidates interviewed for the position.
have
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there has been ever correct?
Yes, there has been is always correct when the subject that follows the verb is singular. It indicates a singular state or event that occurred in the past or continues now.
Can I use there have been with one item?
No, you should not use there have been with a singular subject. The verb must agree with the subject number, so singular subjects require the singular verb form has been.
What about collective nouns like team?
With collective nouns, usage depends on whether you view the group as a single unit or individuals. In American English, singular is often preferred, so there has been is common.
Does the word there count as the subject?
No, the word there acts as a dummy subject to introduce the sentence. The true grammatical subject comes after the verb, which determines whether you use has or have.
