diff --git a/_content/tour/flowcontrol.article b/_content/tour/flowcontrol.article
index 448cb76765..2c64e0a72a 100644
--- a/_content/tour/flowcontrol.article
+++ b/_content/tour/flowcontrol.article
@@ -69,6 +69,20 @@ of the `else` blocks.
 (Both calls to `pow` return their results before the call to `fmt.Println`
 in `main` begins.)
 
+Because of the way Go parses source code you must put the `else` on the same line
+as the closing brace of the associated `if` block.
+`else` after a newline generates a syntax error:
+
+	if v := math.Pow(x, n); v < lim {
+		return v
+	}
+	else { // syntax error: unexpected else, expecting }
+		fmt.Printf("%g >= %g\n", v, lim)
+	}
+
+If you are interested in details on why this is, read the Language Specification sections
+on [[/ref/spec#Semicolons][Semicolons]] and [[/ref/spec#If_statements][If Statements]].
+
 .play flowcontrol/if-and-else.go
 
 * Exercise: Loops and Functions