there has been

USAGE SUMMARY

"there has been" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has occurred in the past and has now ended. For example, "There has been a rise in crime in the area since the last census."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There has been reform.

The Guardian - Business

There has been deterioration.

The New York Times - Sports

There has been bribery.

Independent

"There has been a shift.

The New York Times

Yet there has been change.

The New Yorker

There has been little violence.

The Economist

"There has been an awakening.

Independent

There has been some improvement.

The New York Times

There has been no arrest.

The New York Times

There has been a backlash.

The New York Times

There has been some success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there has been" to introduce new information or observations that have relevance to the current context. This helps establish a clear and logical flow of information for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "there has been" with plural nouns. The correct form is "there have been". For example, instead of "there has been many changes", say "there have been many changes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there has been" functions as an existential construction, asserting the existence or occurrence of something. It is composed of the expletive "there", the auxiliary verb "has", and the past participle "been", derived from "be". As seen in Ludwig's examples, it introduces a situation or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there has been" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to indicate the existence or occurrence of something in the past that has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As demonstrated by the numerous examples, it is frequently used in news media, science, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid using it with plural nouns (use "there have been" instead). By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "there has been" into your writing to introduce new information and establish a clear flow of ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there's been

Contraction of "there has been", offering a more informal tone.

a change has occurred

Focuses on the change itself rather than the existence of something.

an event transpired

Emphasizes the happening of an event, often with a sense of significance.

developments have unfolded

Highlights the gradual process of events as they become known.

it has emerged that

Indicates the revelation of new information or a previously unknown fact.

the situation has evolved

Suggests a gradual transformation of circumstances over time.

progress has been made

Specifically points out advancement or improvement.

a breakthrough happened

Emphasizes a significant and sudden advancement.

circumstances shifted

Focuses on the alteration of external conditions.

the record shows

Implies looking back to find past events have occurred

FAQs

How can I use "there has been" in a sentence?

Use "there has been" to indicate that something existed or occurred in the past and continues to have relevance. For example, "There has been a shift in consumer behavior recently." This establishes a past event with ongoing impact.

What are some alternatives to "there has been"?

Alternatives include phrases like "there's been" (a contraction), "a change has occurred", or "progress has been made" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "there has been" and "there was"?

"There has been" indicates a connection to the present, while "there was" refers to a past event without necessarily implying ongoing relevance. For instance, "There has been a lot of fighting" suggests the fighting may still be relevant, whereas "There was a battle" simply describes a past event.

Is it correct to say "there has been" followed by a plural noun?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. You should use "there have been" when followed by a plural noun. For example, instead of "there has been many issues", use "there have been many issues".