Why do many languages use parentheses around `if` condition -

many programming languages require parentheses around if condition.

for example:

if (x < 50) { }

why can't written this, without parentheses:

if x < 50 { }

assuming language designers pragmatic people, why parentheses required?

in c, if takes comma-operator, instead of expression. 1 can write:

int = 0; if (i = + 1, i/2 > 0) { }

so need braces (parenthesis actually) here. same true while() example.

return operator in c accepts expression, not require parenthesis:

return + 1;

though many programmers still write like:

return (i + 1);

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