syntax error, unexpected T_ENCAPSED_AND_WHITESPACE, expecting T_STRING or T_VARIABLE or T_NUM_STRING

This error message is typically encountered when there is a problem with the syntax of a string in PHP. It suggests that there is an unexpected whitespace or other character within a string, and that PHP was expecting a different type of value (such as a variable or a numeric string). The error message typically points to the specific line and character where the problem is located.

It is likely that there is a typo, missing or extra quotes in the string, or a concatenation error.

How to fix

Missing concatenation operator or variable delimiters When placing variables inside double-quoted strings, PHP may fail if the variable name is immediately followed by alphanumeric characters or if concatenation is missing.

// Error
$name = "John";
echo "Hello $name Doe"; // Unexpected T_ENCAPSED_AND_WHITESPACE

// Fix
echo "Hello {$name} Doe"; // or "Hello " . $name . " Doe";

Unescaped quotes inside a double-quoted string Quotes inside a double-quoted string must be escaped, or you should switch to single quotes.

// Error
echo "She said "Hello" to me"; // Unexpected T_ENCAPSED_AND_WHITESPACE

// Fix
echo "She said \"Hello\" to me"; // or echo 'She said "Hello" to me';

You may need to check your code and fix any errors, such as adding or removing quotes or concatenation operators, to correct the problem.