PYTHONWarningSyntax ErrorMay 14, 2026

Syntax Error

SyntaxError: invalid syntax. print statement must be followed by a colon (:)

What This Error Means

This error occurs when Python encounters a syntax that doesn't conform to its rules. In this case, the print statement is missing a colon at the end.

Why It Happens

Python requires a colon (:) at the end of a print statement when it's used as part of a control structure, such as if-else or for loops. Without it, Python gets confused and raises a SyntaxError.

How to Fix It

  1. 1To fix this error, simply add a colon (:) at the end of the print statement. For example, if you have `print('Hello World')`, change it to `print('Hello World'):`. Alternatively, if the print statement is inside a control structure, make sure it's properly indented.

Example Code Solution

❌ Before (problematic code)
Python
if x > 5:
  print('x is greater than 5')
print('x is greater than 5')
✅ After (fixed code)
Python
if x > 5:
  print('x is greater than 5'):

Fix for SyntaxError: invalid syntax. print statement must be followed by a colon (:)

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