Single subject (made plural by parentheses clause) single/plural verb?

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Jaggers

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When you have a singular subject in a sentence and a clause in parentheses - which, if the parentheses didn't exist, would mean a plural verb was required -what is the correct form of verb?

For example, what is the correct verb in (b) below:

(a) The cat, and for that matter the dog, were vicious.
(b) The cat (and for that matter the dog) was/were vicious.
 

Raymott

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When you have a singular subject in a sentence and a clause in parentheses - which, if the parentheses didn't exist, would mean a plural verb was required -what is the correct form of verb?

For example, what is the correct verb in (b) below:

(a) The cat, and for that matter the dog, were vicious.
(b) The cat (and for that matter the dog) was/were vicious.
You still have a parenthesis in (a), but it's set off by commas rather than brackets (parentheses).
I'd be inclined to use 'was' in both cases.

"The editor, as well as the reviewers, believes that the article..."
Subject-Verb Agreement
 
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