title: SQL Server 2000 "Select is broken" with TOP clause
body: <p>Using SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition, why would this code:</p>
  
  <pre><code>select top 10 * from table
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>result in this error:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Server: Msg 170, Level 15, State 1, Line 1<br>
    Line 1: Incorrect syntax near '10'.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>and this code:</p>
  
  <pre><code>select * from master m
  left join locality l on m.localityid = l.localityid
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>result in this error:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Server: Msg 170, Level 15, State 1,
    Line 2 Line 2: Incorrect syntax near
    'left'.</p>
  </blockquote>