How to Fix PostgreSQL Error: Syntax Error at or Near

The "Syntax error at or near" error occurs when PostgreSQL's SQL parser encounters invalid SQL syntax that doesn't conform to the language rules. The error message identifies the location (at or near a specific token) where the parser detected the problem.

Impact

This error prevents query execution entirely, causing immediate failures in applications, scripts, and manual queries. It blocks all operations until the syntax is corrected, potentially affecting development workflow and deployment processes.

Common Causes

1. Typos in SQL keywords or commands
2. Missing or misplaced commas, parentheses, or quotes
3. Using reserved keywords without quotes
4. Incorrect join syntax
5. Missing semicolons in multi-statement scripts
6. Using wrong SQL dialect (MySQL, SQL Server syntax in PostgreSQL)
7. String quoting errors
8. Missing FROM clause
9. Incorrect function or operator usage

Troubleshooting and Resolution Steps

1. Check for missing or extra commas:

   -- WRONG: Extra comma before FROM
   SELECT id, name, FROM customers;
   
   -- CORRECT
   SELECT id, name FROM customers;
   
   -- WRONG: Missing comma between columns
   SELECT id name email FROM customers;
   
   -- CORRECT
   SELECT id, name, email FROM customers;
   

2. Fix string quoting issues:

   -- WRONG: Double quotes for strings (PostgreSQL uses for identifiers)
   SELECT * FROM customers WHERE name = "John";
   
   -- CORRECT: Single quotes for strings
   SELECT * FROM customers WHERE name = 'John';
   
   -- For column names with special chars, use double quotes
   SELECT "First Name" FROM customers;
   
   -- For strings with single quotes, escape them
   SELECT * FROM customers WHERE name = 'O''Brien';
   -- Or use dollar quoting
   SELECT * FROM customers WHERE name = $$O'Brien$$;
   

3. Fix reserved keyword usage:

   -- WRONG: Using reserved keyword without quotes
   CREATE TABLE user (id INT, name VARCHAR);
   
   -- CORRECT: Quote the identifier
   CREATE TABLE "user" (id INT, name VARCHAR);
   
   -- BETTER: Use different name
   CREATE TABLE users (id INT, name VARCHAR);
   
   -- List of common reserved keywords: SELECT, FROM, WHERE, USER, TABLE, etc.
   

4. Fix JOIN syntax errors:

   -- WRONG: Missing JOIN condition
   SELECT * FROM customers JOIN orders;
   
   -- CORRECT: Include ON clause
   SELECT * FROM customers JOIN orders ON customers.id = orders.customer_id;
   
   -- WRONG: Using comma join with WHERE in wrong place
   SELECT * FROM customers, orders WHERE ON customers.id = orders.customer_id;
   
   -- CORRECT
   SELECT * FROM customers, orders WHERE customers.id = orders.customer_id;
   

5. Fix parentheses and bracket errors:

   -- WRONG: Mismatched parentheses
   SELECT * FROM customers WHERE (name = 'John' AND age > 25;
   
   -- CORRECT
   SELECT * FROM customers WHERE (name = 'John' AND age > 25);
   
   -- WRONG: Using square brackets for arrays (SQL Server syntax)
   SELECT column[1] FROM table;
   
   -- CORRECT: PostgreSQL array syntax
   SELECT column[1] FROM table_name;
   

6. Fix INSERT syntax:

   -- WRONG: VALUES without parentheses
   INSERT INTO customers (id, name) VALUES 1, 'John';
   
   -- CORRECT
   INSERT INTO customers (id, name) VALUES (1, 'John');
   
   -- WRONG: Missing VALUES keyword
   INSERT INTO customers (id, name) (1, 'John');
   
   -- CORRECT
   INSERT INTO customers (id, name) VALUES (1, 'John');
   

7. Fix UPDATE syntax:

   -- WRONG: Using MySQL syntax
   UPDATE customers SET name = 'John', email = 'john@example.com' WHERE id = 1;
   
   -- CORRECT (same as above, actually both work)
   UPDATE customers SET name = 'John', email = 'john@example.com' WHERE id = 1;
   
   -- WRONG: Missing commas
   UPDATE customers SET name = 'John' email = 'john@example.com' WHERE id = 1;
   
   -- CORRECT
   UPDATE customers SET name = 'John', email = 'john@example.com' WHERE id = 1;
   

8. Fix FROM clause issues:

   -- WRONG: Missing FROM
   SELECT id, name WHERE age > 25;
   
   -- CORRECT
   SELECT id, name FROM customers WHERE age > 25;
   

9. Fix subquery syntax:

   -- WRONG: Subquery needs alias
   SELECT * FROM (SELECT id FROM customers WHERE age > 25);
   
   -- CORRECT
   SELECT * FROM (SELECT id FROM customers WHERE age > 25) AS subquery;
   
   -- WRONG: Missing parentheses around subquery
   SELECT * FROM SELECT id FROM customers;
   
   -- CORRECT
   SELECT * FROM (SELECT id FROM customers) AS subquery;
   

10. Common PostgreSQL-specific syntax:

    -- CORRECT: RETURNING clause (PostgreSQL extension)
    INSERT INTO customers (name) VALUES ('John') RETURNING id;
    
    -- CORRECT: Cast operator
    SELECT '123'::INTEGER;
    SELECT CAST('123' AS INTEGER);
    
    -- CORRECT: Array literals
    SELECT ARRAY[1, 2, 3];
    
    -- CORRECT: JSON operators
    SELECT data->>'name' FROM customers;
    

Additional Information

• Use a SQL formatter or linter to catch syntax errors before execution
• Many IDEs provide SQL syntax highlighting and validation
• PostgreSQL follows SQL standard more closely than MySQL or SQL Server
• Error messages point to where parser detected error, not always where mistake is
• Some errors show token after the actual problem
• Use EXPLAIN before running queries to validate syntax
• Keep PostgreSQL documentation handy for syntax reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my query work in MySQL but not PostgreSQL?
A: Different databases have different SQL dialects. Common differences: string quotes (PostgreSQL uses single quotes), date functions, LIMIT syntax, and identifier quoting.

Q: How do I use a reserved keyword as a column name?
A: Wrap it in double quotes: SELECT "order", "user" FROM table_name; However, it's better to use non-reserved names or add prefixes/suffixes.

Q: What's the difference between single and double quotes in PostgreSQL?
A: Single quotes (') are for string literals: 'Hello'. Double quotes (") are for identifiers (table/column names): "TableName".

Q: Can I use backticks like MySQL?
A: No, PostgreSQL uses double quotes for identifiers. Backticks will cause syntax errors.

Q: Why do I get syntax error with perfectly valid-looking SQL?
A: Check for invisible characters (especially from copy-paste), verify you're not using dialect-specific syntax, and ensure quotes/parentheses are balanced.

Q: How do I debug complex syntax errors?
A: Simplify the query gradually, removing clauses until it works, then add back piece by piece to identify the problematic part. Use a SQL formatter to improve readability.

Q: What are some PostgreSQL-specific syntax features I should know?
A: RETURNING clause, :: cast operator, $$ dollar quoting, ILIKE for case-insensitive matching, array syntax ARRAY[1,2,3], JSON operators -> and ->>.