select * from t1 join t2 on t1.k = t2.k and t1.j = t2.j -- here's a "nested join" join ( t3 left join t4 on t3.k = t4.k and t3.j = t4.j -- this "and" is a select-join-condition ) on t1.k = t3.k and t1.k = t4.k; -- this "and" is a select-join-condition select * from t1 join t2 on (t1.k = t2.k and t1.j = t2.j) -- this "and" is a nested-statement-continuation -- here's a "nested join" join ( t3 left join t4 on (t3.k = t4.k and t3.j = t4.j) -- this "and" is a nested-statement-continuation ) on (t1.k = t3.k and t1.k = t4.k); -- this "and" is a nested-statement-continuation select (a join b on a.k1 = b.k2) -- this is a select-join-condition (hey! we're not an sql parser from a, b;