there have been

USAGE SUMMARY

"there have been" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You use it to refer to something that has happened or to introduce a list of things that have taken place in the past. For example: "There have been numerous attempts to contact the alien life form, but none have been successful so far."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been missteps.

The New York Times

There have been improvements.

The New York Times

There have been efforts.

The New York Times

There have been exceptions.

The New York Times - Sports

There have been controversies.

The New Yorker

"There have been kidnappings.

The New York Times

There have been repercussions.

The New Yorker

"There have been deaths".

The New York Times - Health

There have been mistakes.

The New York Times

There have been fiascos.

The Economist

There have been collisions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there have been" to introduce facts, events, or developments that have occurred up to the present. Ensure that the subject following the phrase is plural.

Common error

Avoid using "there has been" when referring to multiple subjects. "There has been" is for singular subjects only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there have been" functions as an existential marker introducing the existence or occurrence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a common and correct way to start a sentence when you want to state that something has happened.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there have been" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the existence or occurrence of something, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is particularly common in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. Its primary function is to report on past events and changes, and it's suitable for neutral and formal contexts. Remember to use it with plural subjects to maintain correct grammar, and consider alternatives like "have taken place" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have taken place

Emphasizes the action of something happening.

occurred

A more concise way of saying something has happened.

have come about

Indicates how something happened or its origin.

existed

Focuses on the state of having been present.

have arisen

Implies a coming into being or emergence.

have resulted

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of something.

have materialized

Suggests a concrete realization of something.

have transpired

Formal way of saying something has taken place.

have developed

Implies a process of growth or change.

have unfolded

Suggests a gradual revelation or development.

FAQs

How do I use "there have been" in a sentence?

Use "there have been" to indicate that something has occurred or existed in the past and continues to be relevant to the present. For example, "There have been many changes recently."

What's the difference between "there has been" and "there have been"?

"There has been" is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns, while "there have been" is used with plural nouns. For instance, "There has been a change" versus "There have been changes".

What can I say instead of "there have been"?

You can use alternatives like "occurred", "existed", or "have taken place" depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "there have been"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "there have been". This structure is used to indicate the existence or occurrence of something.