How do you write this? (user(s) has(have))

Factual Questions
1

Sorry for the poor topic description, but I couldn’t think of a quick way to write this. I have this sentence I am writing:

It is possible to have more than one user thus I put "user(s) but then if I simply put user(s) has if user is plural then “users has” doesn’t make sense. It seems kind of awkward to put “user(s) has/have.” Is there a grammar rule describing how this should be done or does it even really matter?

2

Could you post a little more of the text so we can see how the sentence is used in context?

3

Try “after the user(s) enter their preference”.

4

I have written some technical manuals and I always use something like that. I often use “user(s)” but never the “have/has” construction.

5

Thanks guys.

6

To build upon what rfgdxm said, sometimes the best grammar rule is when in doubt, reword it.

7

Another grammar rule is avoidance (ie finding a way to get around the problem rather than “solving” it per se). Thus:

‘After entering their preference, users…’

Another is brevity/user-friendliness, , so I’d try to avoid the whole () thing.

8

If you want to know what the double-comma signifies, you’ll have to consult your Skunk & White.