[Resolved] $query .= problems..WHY?

[llitten]

being new to php and programming I do not understand why

$query = "SELECT * FROM $usertable WHERE p_title LIKE '%$search_term%' LIMIT $limitvalue, $limit ";

$result = mysql_query($query) or die("Error: " . mysql_error());

WORKS yet when I try to split the $query with a .= it sends me an error!!!

$query = "SELECT * FROM $usertable";
$query .= "WHERE p_title LIKE '%$search_term%' LIMIT $limitvalue, $limit ";

$result = mysql_query($query) or die("Error: " . mysql_error());

WHY?

Thanks

[llitten]

I found the answer.....

its the space!

.= "where no space

.= " where space..and seems to work