When you are just getting started with Python, one of the first issues you will run into is the syntax error. Python is a powerful and readable language, but it’s also strict. Forget a colon, misplace a quote, or type a command incorrectly, and your entire script stops working.

This guide explains what a syntax error in Python is, why it happens, and how to fix or avoid it.

Before you start, make sure Python is installed. 

To see the installation steps, please read Master Python Web Scraping.

For example:

print("Hello World!

print("Hello World!

The output will be:

Why? Both the string literal and the function definition are wrong. You also forgot the closing quotation mark and the bracket. 

Python doesn’t know where the string and function end.

Common Causes of Python Syntax Errors

Let’s look at the most frequent syntax mistakes beginners make:

Missing or Mismatched Quotes

name = “john

name = “john

Fix: Add the closing quote:

name = “john"

name = “john"

Missing Colons (:) in Blocks

if x > 5
    print(“x is large”)

if x > 5
    print(“x is large”)

Fix: Add the colon:

if x > 5:
   print("x is large")

if x > 5:
   print("x is large")

Incorrect Indentation

Python depends on indentation to understand code blocks.

for i in range(3):
print(i)

for i in range(3):
print(i)

Fix: Indent properly:

for i in range(3):
    print(i)

for i in range(3):
    print(i)

Typos in Keywords 

def my_function()
    print("Running")

def my_function()
    print("Running")

Here, you missed a colon and mistyped a function name.

How to Fix a Syntax Error

• Read the error message – Python tells you the line and type of error.
• Check for missing characters like quotes, brackets, and colons.
• Look for typos – especially in keywords (def,f for, if, etc.).
• Use an IDE or linter – tools like VS Code and PyCharm highlight syntax issues in real time.
  

Why Clean Syntax Matters in Automation & Proxies

When it comes to creating Python scripts that are used to scrape the website, access the APIs, and automate processes through the use of proxies (such as when you use Proxying.io), a single syntax error can break your script or cause silent failures.

For example, here’s a faulty scraping snippet using a proxy:

import requests
proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080"
    "https": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)

import requests
proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:[email protected]:8080"
    "https": "http://user:[email protected]:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)

SyntaxError: You forgot a comma between the “http” and “https” lines.

Fixed version

proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080",
    "https": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}

proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:[email protected]:8080",
    "https": "http://user:[email protected]:8080"
}

Clean Syntax guarantees that your requests pass and your proxy authentication, as well as data collection, do not silently fail.

Using a Proxy Variable Without Defining It

response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=my_proxy)

response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=my_proxy)

Fix: Make sure the variable my_proxy (or proxies) is defined before use.

my_proxy = {
    "http": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080",
    "https": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=my_proxy)

my_proxy = {
    "http": "http://user:[email protected]:8080",
    "https": "http://user:[email protected]:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=my_proxy)

Invalid Proxy String Format

proxies = {
    "http": "user:pass:proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}

proxies = {
    "http": "user:pass:proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}

Issue: While this may not be a syntax error, it won’t authenticate properly, leading to a failed request.

Fix: Use the correct format:

proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}

proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:[email protected]:8080"
}

Forgetting to Import Requests

proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)

proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:[email protected]:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)

Fix:

import requests
proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:pass@proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)

import requests
proxies = {
    "http": "http://user:[email protected]:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)

Trailing Comma Outside of Dictionary

proxies = {
    "http": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080",
    "https": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080",
},

proxies = {
    "http": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080",
    "https": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080",
},

Fix:

proxies = {
    "http": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080",
    "https": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}

proxies = {
    "http": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080",
    "https": "http://proxy.proxying.io:8080"
}

Pro Tip: Catch Errors Before Running

Use tools like:

• flake8 or pylint to lint your code.
• black for automatic formatting.
• Try running your Python scripts in small chunks to spot syntax issues early.

Conclusion

To write stable code, it is important to know what the syntax error is and how to eliminate it, particularly when it comes to creating automated scripts. If you are looking to build robust, scalable automation.

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