there's been= there have been plural

Status
Not open for further replies.

ostap77

Key Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Ukrainian
Home Country
Ukraine
Current Location
Ukraine
Could I use the contraction "there's been for there have been" as in "there's been many people protesting.........."?
 

Larkus

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2011
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
German
Home Country
Germany
Current Location
Germany
I'm not a teacher.


I found the following in "Comments by President On His Choice of Justice" in the New York Times:

George Bush senior: "No, and a lot of other things too. I believe in the separation of powers. I happen to think that there's been many many things that trouble me - encroachment of micromanagement by the United States Congress on the Presidency. But I haven't asked this able judge about those things."


I would post a link, but I have not enough posts to have that privilege.
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I would put it in the category of things we say, but things we shouldn't write.

Just like we say "There's... " before something clearly plural, but would usually write "There are..." I''m sure people often do say "There's been.." before something that's clearly plural, but would usually write "There have been."
 

JohnParis

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Member Type
Retired Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
France
Here's a good link to easy explanations of contractions.
English Contractions
They don't cite anything for "there have been" and I'm not certain there is one.
One thing I do know, however, is that Bush 41 and Bush 43 were each known for some outrageous linguistic gymnastics.
John
 

ostap77

Key Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Ukrainian
Home Country
Ukraine
Current Location
Ukraine
Here's a good link to easy explanations of contractions.
English Contractions
They don't cite anything for "there have been" and I'm not certain there is one.
One thing I do know, however, is that Bush 41 and Bush 43 were each known for some outrageous linguistic gymnastics.
John

There's --- There is / has --- Example: There's a hotel in the next town. OR There's been too many telephone calls today!

There's been as in "there's been too many telephone calls today!" clearly stands for there have been, doesn't it?
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
Yes, it does, but to repeat and emphasise Barb's warning:

I would put it in the category of things we say, but things we shouldn't write.

Rover
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top