ERROR: syntax error at or near "x"
PostgreSQL couldn’t parse the SQL; the token shown is where parsing failed.
Seen on:
PostgreSQL
Meaning
Reserved words as identifiers (user, order, group), MySQL syntax (backticks, LIMIT x,y), missing commas, and placeholders ? instead of $1 are typical.
Common causes
- Reserved word as a column/table name (user, order)
- MySQL-specific syntax (backticks, LIMIT 10, 20)
- ? placeholders instead of $1
- Missing comma/parenthesis
⚡ Quick fix
- Double-quote identifiers that are reserved words ("user")
- Use LIMIT 20 OFFSET 10
- Use $1, $2 placeholders with node-postgres
Detailed fix by platform
PostgreSQL
SELECT * FROM "user" ORDER BY created_at LIMIT 20 OFFSET 10;
How to diagnose
- Token — Which token is quoted?
- Dialect — MySQL-isms?
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Last updated 2 Oct 2026