"There have" vs "there is"

Question

"There have" vs "there is"

The phrases 'there have' and 'there is' are not directly comparable because they are used in different contexts. 'There have' is used to indicate possession or existence of multiple items, while 'there is' is used to indicate possession or existence of a single item. Therefore, the choice between 'there have' and 'there is' depends on whether you are referring to a singular or plural subject.

Last Updated: March 29, 2024

Use 'there have' when you want to indicate that multiple items exist or are possessed in a particular location or situation.

Examples:

There have been many complaints about the service.
There have been several changes to the schedule.
There have always been rumors about their relationship.
There have been some issues with the equipment.
There have been numerous attempts to fix the problem.

Alternatives:

there are
there exist

Use 'there is' when you want to indicate that a single item exists or is possessed in a particular location or situation.

Examples:

There is a book on the table.
There is a cat in the garden.
There is a problem with the computer.
There is an opportunity for growth.
There is a solution to the issue.

Alternatives:

there exists
there lies

Answer 1

There have

The phrase 'there have' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the existence or possession of multiple items.

Answer 2

there is

The phrase 'there is' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the existence or possession of a single item.

"There have" vs "there is"

There have

there is

Related Comparisons