PostgreSQL raises this syntax error when its SQL parser hits an unexpected token near the shown keyword.
Syntax error at or near "keyword" appears when PostgreSQL meets an unexpected token. Inspect the few characters before the highlighted keyword for missing commas, quotes, or reserved-word misuse; correcting that syntax resolves the error.
ERROR: syntax error at or near "<keyword>"
PostgreSQL emits “syntax error at or near "keyword"” when its parser finds a token that breaks SQL grammar.
The highlighted word is where parsing stopped; the true issue often sits immediately before it.
Because PostgreSQL strictly follows ANSI SQL, even a single missing comma, quote, or parenthesis can trigger this message.
Reserved keywords used as identifiers without quoting force the parser to treat them as commands, breaking the statement.
Missing or extra punctuation—commas, semicolons, parentheses, or quotes—changes the token stream and confuses the grammar rules.
Mismatched parameter placeholders ($1, :name) or gaps in numbering leave an incomplete expression around the keyword.
Copy-pasted code from other dialects may include backticks or vendor-specific syntax that PostgreSQL cannot interpret.
Read the message, locate the keyword, then check the preceding characters for punctuation or keyword misuse.
Quote any identifiers that collide with reserved words, or rename them to safe alternatives.
Balance every opening parenthesis, quote, and dollar-quote; use editors like Galaxy that highlight matching pairs.
Missing comma: SELECT id name FROM users; → add the comma between id and name.
MySQL-style LIMIT: LIMIT 5,10 → rewrite as LIMIT 10 OFFSET 5.
Unquoted table named order: quote it—"order"—or rename the table.
Write SQL in a linting editor like Galaxy that flags syntax issues before execution.
Adopt a formatting tool such as pgFormatter to standardize comma placement and line breaks.
Avoid reserved words in identifiers or always apply consistent quoting rules.
Add CI tests that execute key queries so broken syntax is caught during development.
syntax error at end of input – usually missing a closing parenthesis or quote; add the missing delimiter.
unterminated quoted string – close the single, double, or dollar quote exactly where it was opened.
missing FROM-clause entry for table – include the table alias in the FROM clause.
Not necessarily; the real problem usually lies just before the highlighted keyword where syntax first becomes invalid.
Galaxy’s parser and AI copilot underline invalid tokens in real time and suggest corrections before you run the query.
Quoting works but adds noise; prefer non-reserved names or consistent naming conventions to avoid quotes entirely.
Each dialect has unique grammar; convert vendor-specific functions, backticks, and LIMIT syntax to PostgreSQL equivalents.
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