syntax error at or near

This error occurs when your SQL statement has invalid syntax. PostgreSQL shows where the error was detected.

The syntax error at or near error means your SQL has invalid syntax.

Understanding the Error

ERROR: syntax error at or near "FROM"
LINE 1: SELECT * FROM FROM users;
                      ^

PostgreSQL points to where it detected the problem.

Common Causes

1. Missing Comma

SQL

-- Wrong: missing comma between columns
SELECT id name email FROM users;

-- Correct
SELECT id, name, email FROM users;

2. Missing Quote

SQL

-- Wrong: unclosed quote
SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = 'Alice;

-- Correct
SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = 'Alice';

3. Reserved Word as Identifier

SQL

-- Wrong: 'user' is a reserved word
SELECT * FROM user;

-- Correct: quote it or use different name
SELECT * FROM "user";
SELECT * FROM users;

4. Wrong Quote Type

SQL

-- Wrong: double quotes for strings
SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = "Alice";

-- Correct: single quotes for strings
SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = 'Alice';

5. Missing Keyword

SQL

-- Wrong: missing VALUES
INSERT INTO users (name) ('Alice');

-- Correct
INSERT INTO users (name) VALUES ('Alice');

How to Fix It

Solution 1: Check for Missing Commas

SQL

-- Correct comma placement
SELECT
  id,
  name,
  email
FROM users;

Solution 2: Balance Quotes and Parentheses

SQL

-- Check all quotes are closed
SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = 'O''Brien';  -- Escape single quote

-- Check parentheses
SELECT * FROM users WHERE (status = 'active' AND role = 'admin');

Solution 3: Handle Reserved Words

SQL

-- PostgreSQL reserved words include: user, order, table, group, etc.
-- Either quote them or rename
SELECT "order", "user" FROM orders;

-- Better: use non-reserved names
SELECT order_id, user_id FROM orders;

Solution 4: Use Correct Quote Types

SQL

-- Single quotes: string values
WHERE name = 'Alice'

-- Double quotes: identifiers (table/column names)
SELECT "Column Name" FROM "My Table"

-- No quotes: regular identifiers
SELECT name FROM users

Solution 5: Check Statement Structure

SQL

-- Correct INSERT structure
INSERT INTO users (name, email) VALUES ('Alice', 'alice@example.com');

-- Correct UPDATE structure
UPDATE users SET name = 'Alice' WHERE id = 1;

-- Correct DELETE structure
DELETE FROM users WHERE id = 1;

Common Reserved Words

user, order, table, group, select, insert, update, delete,
from, where, and, or, not, null, true, false, in, between,
like, limit, offset, join, on, as, is, by, to, into

Best Practices

Avoid reserved words as table/column names
Use lowercase identifiers without quotes
Format SQL for readability (easier to spot errors)
Use a SQL linter or IDE with syntax checking
Test queries in a SQL client before using in code