quotes around spaces in variable?

[Anon]

i'm trying to print out a '$variable' in php as a value in a <select> tag in html.

I need to put the select value in quotes as it HAS spaces in it.

what is the syntax to put quotes around this variable in the output?

eg I need to get
<option value="hi there">hi there</option>
but this doesn't work:
<option value="<?$variable?>"><?$variable?>
</option>

[Anon]

Well, you need to so something to output the variable, not just evaluate it.

<option value="<?=$variable?>"><?=$variable?>

should work, or

<option value="<? echo $variable; ?>"><? echo $variable; ?>

[Anon]

Though not my exact question, I thank you as your answer did help me figure out what I was doing wrong.