Verb

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1) Rising titers of antibody or the presence of IgM antibody "are" indicative of recent exposure.

2) The demonstration of rising antibody titers or the presence of IgM antibody "are" valuable aids in the diagnosis of this disease with nonspecific symptoms.

Is the verb "are" correct. Please advise.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

In the first sentence, 'or' with two singular alternatives would require a singular verb, but 'titers' appears to be plural, so 'are' may be a more natural match; however, I would be happier if the plural subject were nearer the verb:

1) 'The presence of IgM antibody or rising titers of antibody are indicative of recent exposure.'

In the second sentence, 'demonstration' is more obviously the subject, so that 'is a valuable aid' would make more grammatical sense; still, I don't suppose that is your intention, so perhaps this sentence too could be recast as:

2) 'The presence of IgM antibody or rising antibody titers are valuable aids in the diagnosis of this disease with nonspecific symptoms.'

I shall move this thread to Medical English for further comment.

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