What are common pitfalls when using PHP syntax?

One common pitfall when using PHP syntax is forgetting to properly close parentheses, brackets, or quotes, which can lead to syntax errors in your code. To avoid this issue, always double-check your code to ensure that all opening symbols have a corresponding closing symbol.

// Incorrect way - missing closing parenthesis
echo "Hello, World";
// Correct way
echo "Hello, World";
```

Another common pitfall is using incorrect variable names or misspelling functions, which can result in undefined variable or function errors. To prevent this, make sure to double-check your variable names and function calls for accuracy.

```php
// Incorrect way - misspelled variable name
$name = "John";
echo $naem;
// Correct way
$name = "John";
echo $name;
```

Additionally, failing to properly escape special characters in strings can cause unexpected behavior in your code. To avoid this pitfall, always use escape characters like backslashes when necessary.

```php
// Incorrect way - not escaping special characters
echo "It's a beautiful day!";
// Correct way
echo "It\'s a beautiful day!";