"if, elif, else" constructs require the "end" keyword only once: #========== if (condition1): print '1st' elif (condition2): print '2nd' else: print 'Something else' end #========== "try, except, ensure" constructs require the "end" keyword over and over for every block: #========== try: raise DirectoryNotFoundException() end except e as FileNotFoundException: print 'FNF' end except e: print 'Other' end ensure: print 'The end' end #========== Standardize on one method of handling blocks. See discussion here: http://groups.google.com/group/boolang/browse_thread/thread/269549c0f7b907de