The syntaxerror: unexpected character after line continuation character is an error message that usually happens when you use line continuation character incorrectly.
So, if you are stuck with this error message, then keep on reading!
In this article, we’ll be exploring the syntaxerrorunexpected character after line continuation character in Python.
Here, you’ll understand what this error is all about, why it occurs in your code, and how to fix it.
What is “line continuation character”?
A line continuation character is used to break a long line of code over several lines in your file. In Python, the backslash (\) is used as a line continuation character. It is usually used to split the statement.
For example:
# Example code using line continuation character
message = "Hi, " \
"Welcome to itsourcecode " \
"that offers free sourcecode and tutorial."
Dailyvisitors = [100000, 200000, 300000,
400000, 500000, 600000,
700000, 800000, 900000]
Totalvisitors = 100000 + 2000000 + 300000 + 400000 + 500000 +\
600000 + 700000 + 800000 + 900000
print(message)
print(Dailyvisitors)
print(Totalvisitors)
Output:
Hi, Welcome to itsourcecode that offers free sourcecode and tutorial.
[100000, 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000, 600000, 700000, 800000, 900000]
6300000Line continuation character allows you to write a long string over several lines of code. Using this character makes your code easier to read and understand.
What is “syntaxerror unexpected character after line continuation character” in Python?
The syntaxerror: unexpected character after line continuation character occurs when you are trying to use the backslash character “\,” but you used it incorrectly.
Also, it happens when there is an unexpected character after the line continuation character “\ “in Python.
The backslash “\” is used as a line continuation character to break up single-line statements across multiple lines of code.
After it, only newline characters/whitespace are allowed (before the next non-whitespace continues the “interrupted” line).
Why does “syntaxerror: unexpected character after line continuation character” error occur?
You’ll see the following scenarios why this error keeps on bothering you.
Scenario 1: If you are using escape character “\” rather than using the division operator “/” in Division
For example:
sample1 = 1000
sample2 = 50
output = sample1/sample2
print(output)
Output:
C:\Users\pies-pc2\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\main.py
File "C:\Users\pies-pc2\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\main.py", line 3
output = sample1\sample2
^
SyntaxError: unexpected character after line continuation characterThe error message occurs when we try to use the escape character “\” rather than using the division operator “/” in mathematical expressions.
To fix this error, you have to use the division operator rather than using the line continuation character.
Corrected code:
sample1 = 1000
sample2 = 50
output = sample1/sample2
print(output)
Output:
20.0Scenario 2: If you use the newline character “\n” incorrectly
For example:
sample_string = "Hi, Welcome to itsourcecode that offers free sourcecode and tutorial."
print(sample_string +\n)Output:
C:\Users\pies-pc2\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\main.py
File "C:\Users\pies-pc2\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\main.py", line 2
print(sample_string +\n)
^
SyntaxError: unexpected character after line continuation characterAs you can see, we are trying to print a new line along with the string by adding it to the string. Unfortunately, it leads to a syntax error.
The reason is that \n works as the newline character only when it is used as a string literal.
However, “\” is considered a line continuation character, and “n” is considered to be an unexpected character because there are no characters allowed after a line continuation character.
Corrected code:
sample_string = "Hi, Welcome to itsourcecode that offers free sourcecode and tutorials."
print(sample_string +"\n")Output:
Hi, Welcome to itsourcecode that offers free sourcecode and tutorials.
How to fix “syntaxerror: unexpected character after line continuation character” in Python?
To fix the SyntaxError unexpected character after line continuation character error in Python, ensure that there are no unexpected characters after the line continuation character “\.”
The backslash “\” is used as a line continuation character to break up single-line statements across multiple lines of code.
After it, only newline characters/whitespace are allowed (before the next non-whitespace continues the “interrupted” line).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the error message syntaxerror: unexpected character after line continuation character occurs when you are trying to use the backslash character “\,” but you used it incorrectly.
We already discussed above what this error is all about and multiple ways to resolve this error.
By executing the solutions above, you can master this Syntaxerror in Python with the help of this guide.
You could also check out other “SyntaxError” articles that may help you in the future if you encounter them.
- Syntaxerror: future feature annotations is not defined
- Syntaxerror: ‘return’ outside function
- Syntaxerror: eol while scanning string literal
We are hoping that this article helps you fix the error. Thank you for reading itsourcecoders 😊
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Python SyntaxError and what causes it?
SyntaxError is raised when Python’s parser can’t understand your code. Common causes: missing colon (def foo() instead of def foo():), unmatched parentheses or brackets, incorrect indentation, mixing tabs and spaces, missing comma in a list, or using a Python 3 feature in a Python 2 interpreter (or vice versa). The error points to a line, but the actual issue is often on the line BEFORE.
How do I fix ‘unexpected EOF while parsing’?
Python ran out of code while expecting more, usually unclosed parenthesis, bracket, brace, or quote. Scroll up from the error line and count opening vs closing pairs. Use an IDE with bracket matching (VS Code, PyCharm) to highlight pairs. Common gotcha: a triple-quoted string that’s missing its closing triple-quote.
Why does my syntax error point to a line that looks correct?
The actual error is often on the line BEFORE the one Python reports. Python reads code until something doesn’t parse, then reports the position where it gave up, not where the user’s mistake started. Check the line above the reported error for missing colons, commas, or closing brackets.
Why does ‘print x’ raise SyntaxError in Python 3?
Python 3 made print a function, so print(x) is required. The bare ‘print x’ syntax was Python 2 only. If you’re following an old tutorial, check whether it targets Python 2 (released 2008) or Python 3 (your current interpreter). Update all print statements to print(…) function calls.
Where can I find more SyntaxError fixes?
Browse the SyntaxError reference hub for 48+ specific fixes (Python and JavaScript). For Python fundamentals see the Python Tutorial hub. For JavaScript syntax errors see the JavaScript Tutorial hub.
Caren Bautista
Technical Writer at PIES IT Solution
Responsible for crafting clear, well-structured, and beginner-friendly content across the platform. Handles the writing, proofreading, and editorial review of tutorials, guides, and documentation to ensure every article is accurate, readable, and easy to follow.
Expertise: Technical Writing · Content Creation · Documentation · Editorial Writing · JavaScript · TypeScript · Python · Python Errors · HTTP Errors · MS Excel · View all posts by Caren Bautista →