diff --git a/sqlbuilder/alias.go b/sqlbuilder/alias.go
index 13a75ed..686014b 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/alias.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/alias.go
@@ -12,15 +12,15 @@ func NewAlias(expression expression, alias string) *Alias {
 	}
 }
 
-func (a *Alias) serializeForProjection(out *queryData) error {
+func (a *Alias) serializeForProjection(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 
-	err := a.expression.serializeForProjection(out)
+	err := a.expression.serializeForProjection(statement, out)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(" AS \"" + a.alias + "\"")
+	out.writeString(" AS \"" + a.alias + "\"")
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/bool_expression_test.go b/sqlbuilder/bool_expression_test.go
index ecfaceb..eb968ad 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/bool_expression_test.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/bool_expression_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ func TestBinaryExpression(t *testing.T) {
 	boolExpression := Eq(Literal(2), Literal(3))
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := boolExpression.serialize(&out)
+	err := boolExpression.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func TestBinaryExpression(t *testing.T) {
 		alias := boolExpression.AS("alias_eq_expression")
 
 		out := queryData{}
-		err := alias.serializeForProjection(&out)
+		err := alias.serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 
 		assert.NilError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `$1 = $2 AS "alias_eq_expression"`)
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ func TestBinaryExpression(t *testing.T) {
 		exp := boolExpression.AND(Eq(Literal(4), Literal(5)))
 
 		out := queryData{}
-		err := exp.serialize(&out)
+		err := exp.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 		assert.NilError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `($1 = $2 AND $3 = $4)`)
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func TestBinaryExpression(t *testing.T) {
 		exp := boolExpression.OR(Eq(Literal(4), Literal(5)))
 
 		out := queryData{}
-		err := exp.serialize(&out)
+		err := exp.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 		assert.NilError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `($1 = $2 OR $3 = $4)`)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func TestUnaryExpression(t *testing.T) {
 	notExpression := Not(Eq(Literal(2), Literal(1)))
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := notExpression.serialize(&out)
+	err := notExpression.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "NOT $1 = $2")
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ func TestUnaryExpression(t *testing.T) {
 		alias := notExpression.AS("alias_not_expression")
 
 		out := queryData{}
-		err := alias.serializeForProjection(&out)
+		err := alias.serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 
 		assert.NilError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `NOT $1 = $2 AS "alias_not_expression"`)
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func TestUnaryExpression(t *testing.T) {
 		exp := notExpression.AND(Eq(Literal(4), Literal(5)))
 
 		out := queryData{}
-		err := exp.serialize(&out)
+		err := exp.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 		assert.NilError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `(NOT $1 = $2 AND $3 = $4)`)
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func TestUnaryIsTrueExpression(t *testing.T) {
 	notExpression := IsTrue(Eq(Literal(2), Literal(1)))
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := notExpression.serialize(&out)
+	err := notExpression.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "IS TRUE $1 = $2")
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func TestUnaryIsTrueExpression(t *testing.T) {
 		exp := notExpression.AND(Eq(Literal(4), Literal(5)))
 
 		out := queryData{}
-		err := exp.serialize(&out)
+		err := exp.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 		assert.NilError(t, err)
 		assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `(IS TRUE $1 = $2 AND $3 = $4)`)
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func TestBoolLiteral(t *testing.T) {
 	literal := newBoolLiteralExpression(true)
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := literal.serialize(&out)
+	err := literal.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ func TestExists(t *testing.T) {
 	)
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := query.serialize(&out)
+	err := query.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "EXISTS (SELECT $1 FROM db.table2 WHERE table1.col1 = table2.col3)")
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func TestIn(t *testing.T) {
 	query := Literal(1.11).IN(table1.SELECT(table1Col1))
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := query.serialize(&out)
+	err := query.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `$1 IN (SELECT table1.col1 AS "table1.col1" FROM db.table1)`)
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func TestIn(t *testing.T) {
 	query2 := ROW(Literal(12), table1Col1).IN(table2.SELECT(table2Col3, table3Col1))
 
 	out = queryData{}
-	err = query2.serialize(&out)
+	err = query2.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `(ROW($1, table1.col1) IN (SELECT table2.col3 AS "table2.col3", table3.col1 AS "table3.col1" FROM db.table2))`)
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/clause.go b/sqlbuilder/clause.go
index c8e1094..5df2d40 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/clause.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/clause.go
@@ -7,69 +7,70 @@ import (
 )
 
 type clause interface {
-	serialize(out *queryData) error
+	serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error
 }
 
 type queryData struct {
 	buff bytes.Buffer
 	args []interface{}
-
-	statementType int
 }
 
+type statementType string
+
 const (
-	select_statement = iota
-	insert_statement
-	update_statement
-	delete_statement
-	set_statement
+	select_statement statementType = "SELECT"
+	insert_statement statementType = "INSERT"
+	update_statement statementType = "UPDATE"
+	delete_statement statementType = "DELETE"
+	set_statement    statementType = "SET"
+	lock_statement   statementType = "LOCK"
 )
 
-func (q *queryData) WriteProjection(projections []projection) error {
-	return serializeProjectionList(projections, q)
+func (q *queryData) writeProjection(statement statementType, projections []projection) error {
+	return serializeProjectionList(statement, projections, q)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) WriteWhere(where expression) error {
-	q.WriteString(" WHERE ")
-	return where.serialize(q)
+func (q *queryData) writeWhere(statement statementType, where expression) error {
+	q.writeString(" WHERE ")
+	return where.serialize(statement, q)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) WriteGroupBy(groupBy []groupByClause) error {
-	q.WriteString(" GROUP BY ")
+func (q *queryData) writeGroupBy(statement statementType, groupBy []groupByClause) error {
+	q.writeString(" GROUP BY ")
 
-	return serializeGroupByClauseList(groupBy, q)
+	return serializeGroupByClauseList(statement, groupBy, q)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) WriteOrderBy(orderBy []orderByClause) error {
-	q.WriteString(" ORDER BY ")
-	return serializeOrderByClauseList(orderBy, q)
+func (q *queryData) writeOrderBy(statement statementType, orderBy []orderByClause) error {
+	q.writeString(" ORDER BY ")
+	return serializeOrderByClauseList(statement, orderBy, q)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) WriteHaving(having expression) error {
-	q.WriteString(" HAVING ")
-	return having.serialize(q)
+func (q *queryData) writeHaving(statement statementType, having expression) error {
+	q.writeString(" HAVING ")
+	return having.serialize(statement, q)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) Write(data []byte) {
+func (q *queryData) write(data []byte) {
 	q.buff.Write(data)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) WriteString(str string) {
+func (q *queryData) writeString(str string) {
 	q.buff.WriteString(str)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) WriteByte(b byte) {
+func (q *queryData) writeByte(b byte) {
 	q.buff.WriteByte(b)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) InsertArgument(arg interface{}) {
+func (q *queryData) insertArgument(arg interface{}) {
 	q.args = append(q.args, arg)
 	argPlaceholder := "$" + strconv.Itoa(len(q.args))
 
 	q.buff.WriteString(argPlaceholder)
 }
 
-func (q *queryData) Reset() {
+func (q *queryData) reset() {
 	q.buff.Reset()
 	q.args = []interface{}{}
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/column.go b/sqlbuilder/column.go
index c655b6f..0738b88 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/column.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/column.go
@@ -77,42 +77,42 @@ func (c *baseColumn) DefaultAlias() projection {
 	return c.AS(c.tableName + "." + c.name)
 }
 
-func (c *baseColumn) serializeAsOrderBy(out *queryData) error {
-	if out.statementType == set_statement {
+func (c *baseColumn) serializeAsOrderBy(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	if statement == set_statement {
 		// set statement (UNION, EXCEPT ...) can reference only select projections in order by clause
-		out.WriteString(`"`)
+		out.writeString(`"`)
 
 		if c.tableName != "" {
-			out.WriteString(c.tableName)
-			out.WriteString(".")
+			out.writeString(c.tableName)
+			out.writeString(".")
 		}
 
-		out.WriteString(c.name)
+		out.writeString(c.name)
 
-		out.WriteString(`"`)
+		out.writeString(`"`)
 
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	return c.serialize(out)
+	return c.serialize(statement, out)
 }
 
-func (c baseColumn) serialize(out *queryData) error {
+func (c baseColumn) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 	if c.tableName != "" {
-		out.WriteString(c.tableName)
-		out.WriteString(".")
+		out.writeString(c.tableName)
+		out.writeString(".")
 	}
 
 	wrapColumnName := strings.Contains(c.name, ".")
 
 	if wrapColumnName {
-		out.WriteString(`"`)
+		out.writeString(`"`)
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(c.name)
+	out.writeString(c.name)
 
 	if wrapColumnName {
-		out.WriteString(`"`)
+		out.writeString(`"`)
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/column_types_test.go b/sqlbuilder/column_types_test.go
index 63bd038..0e60199 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/column_types_test.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/column_types_test.go
@@ -9,26 +9,26 @@ func TestNewBoolColumn(t *testing.T) {
 	boolColumn := NewBoolColumn("col", Nullable)
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := boolColumn.serialize(&out)
+	err := boolColumn.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "col")
 
-	out.Reset()
-	err = boolColumn.serialize(&out)
+	out.reset()
+	err = boolColumn.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "col")
 
-	out.Reset()
+	out.reset()
 	boolColumn.setTableName("table1")
-	err = boolColumn.DefaultAlias().serializeForProjection(&out)
+	err = boolColumn.DefaultAlias().serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `table1.col AS "table1.col"`)
 
-	out.Reset()
+	out.reset()
 	boolColumn.setTableName("table1")
 	aliasedBoolColumn := boolColumn.AS("alias1")
-	err = aliasedBoolColumn.serializeForProjection(&out)
+	err = aliasedBoolColumn.serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `table1.col AS "alias1"`)
 }
@@ -37,26 +37,26 @@ func TestNewIntColumn(t *testing.T) {
 	integerColumn := NewIntegerColumn("col", Nullable)
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := integerColumn.serialize(&out)
+	err := integerColumn.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "col")
 
-	out.Reset()
-	err = integerColumn.serialize(&out)
+	out.reset()
+	err = integerColumn.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "col")
 
-	out.Reset()
+	out.reset()
 	integerColumn.setTableName("table1")
-	err = integerColumn.DefaultAlias().serializeForProjection(&out)
+	err = integerColumn.DefaultAlias().serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `table1.col AS "table1.col"`)
 
-	out.Reset()
+	out.reset()
 	integerColumn.setTableName("table1")
 	aliasedBoolColumn := integerColumn.AS("alias1")
-	err = aliasedBoolColumn.serializeForProjection(&out)
+	err = aliasedBoolColumn.serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `table1.col AS "alias1"`)
 }
@@ -65,26 +65,26 @@ func TestNewNumericColumnColumn(t *testing.T) {
 	numericColumn := NewNumericColumn("col", Nullable)
 
 	out := queryData{}
-	err := numericColumn.serialize(&out)
+	err := numericColumn.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "col")
 
-	out.Reset()
-	err = numericColumn.serialize(&out)
+	out.reset()
+	err = numericColumn.serialize(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), "col")
 
-	out.Reset()
+	out.reset()
 	numericColumn.setTableName("table1")
-	err = numericColumn.DefaultAlias().serializeForProjection(&out)
+	err = numericColumn.DefaultAlias().serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `table1.col AS "table1.col"`)
 
-	out.Reset()
+	out.reset()
 	numericColumn.setTableName("table1")
 	aliasedBoolColumn := numericColumn.AS("alias1")
-	err = aliasedBoolColumn.serializeForProjection(&out)
+	err = aliasedBoolColumn.serializeForProjection(select_statement, &out)
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, out.buff.String(), `table1.col AS "alias1"`)
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/delete_statement.go b/sqlbuilder/delete_statement.go
index b6f8b5c..6f071a5 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/delete_statement.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/delete_statement.go
@@ -30,15 +30,14 @@ func (d *deleteStatementImpl) WHERE(expression boolExpression) deleteStatement {
 
 func (d *deleteStatementImpl) Sql() (query string, args []interface{}, err error) {
 	queryData := &queryData{}
-	queryData.statementType = delete_statement
 
-	queryData.WriteString("DELETE FROM ")
+	queryData.writeString("DELETE FROM ")
 
 	if d.table == nil {
 		return "", nil, errors.New("nil tableName.")
 	}
 
-	if err = d.table.serializeSql(queryData); err != nil {
+	if err = d.table.serialize(delete_statement, queryData); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -46,7 +45,7 @@ func (d *deleteStatementImpl) Sql() (query string, args []interface{}, err error
 		return "", nil, errors.New("Deleting without a WHERE clause.")
 	}
 
-	if err = queryData.WriteWhere(d.where); err != nil {
+	if err = queryData.writeWhere(delete_statement, d.where); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/expression.go b/sqlbuilder/expression.go
index f34c4ce..a06382a 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/expression.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/expression.go
@@ -53,16 +53,16 @@ func (e *expressionInterfaceImpl) DESC() orderByClause {
 	return &orderByClauseImpl{expression: e.parent, ascent: false}
 }
 
-func (e *expressionInterfaceImpl) serializeForGroupBy(out *queryData) error {
-	return e.parent.serialize(out)
+func (e *expressionInterfaceImpl) serializeForGroupBy(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	return e.parent.serialize(statement, out)
 }
 
-func (e *expressionInterfaceImpl) serializeForProjection(out *queryData) error {
-	return e.parent.serialize(out)
+func (e *expressionInterfaceImpl) serializeForProjection(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	return e.parent.serialize(statement, out)
 }
 
-func (e *expressionInterfaceImpl) serializeAsOrderBy(out *queryData) error {
-	return e.parent.serialize(out)
+func (e *expressionInterfaceImpl) serializeAsOrderBy(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	return e.parent.serialize(statement, out)
 }
 
 // Representation of binary operations (e.g. comparisons, arithmetic)
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ func isSimpleOperand(expression expression) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func (c *binaryExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
+func (c *binaryExpression) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 	if c.lhs == nil {
 		return errors.Newf("nil lhs.")
 	}
@@ -106,21 +106,21 @@ func (c *binaryExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
 	wrap := !isSimpleOperand(c.lhs) && !isSimpleOperand(c.rhs)
 
 	if wrap {
-		out.WriteString("(")
+		out.writeString("(")
 	}
 
-	if err := c.lhs.serialize(out); err != nil {
+	if err := c.lhs.serialize(statement, out); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(" " + c.operator + " ")
+	out.writeString(" " + c.operator + " ")
 
-	if err := c.rhs.serialize(out); err != nil {
+	if err := c.rhs.serialize(statement, out); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if wrap {
-		out.WriteString(")")
+		out.writeString(")")
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -141,13 +141,13 @@ func newPrefixExpression(expression expression, operator string) prefixExpressio
 	return prefixExpression
 }
 
-func (p *prefixExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
-	out.WriteString(p.operator + " ")
+func (p *prefixExpression) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.writeString(p.operator + " ")
 
 	if p.expression == nil {
 		return errors.Newf("nil prefix expression.")
 	}
-	if err := p.expression.serialize(out); err != nil {
+	if err := p.expression.serialize(statement, out); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/expression_old.go b/sqlbuilder/expression_old.go
index 64aadfd..64f6542 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/expression_old.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/expression_old.go
@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@ type intervalExpression struct {
 
 const intervalSep = ":"
 
-func (c *intervalExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
-	out.WriteString("INTERVAL '")
+func (c *intervalExpression) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.writeString("INTERVAL '")
 
 	duration := c.duration
 
 	if duration < 0 {
 		duration = -duration
-		out.WriteString("-")
+		out.writeString("-")
 	}
 
 	hours := duration / time.Hour
@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@ func (c *intervalExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
 	sec := (duration % time.Minute) / time.Second
 	msec := (duration % time.Second) / time.Microsecond
 
-	out.WriteString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(hours), 10))
-	out.WriteString(intervalSep)
-	out.WriteString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(minutes), 10))
-	out.WriteString(intervalSep)
-	out.WriteString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(sec), 10))
-	out.WriteString(intervalSep)
-	out.WriteString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(msec), 10))
-	out.WriteString("' HOUR_MICROSECOND")
+	out.writeString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(hours), 10))
+	out.writeString(intervalSep)
+	out.writeString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(minutes), 10))
+	out.writeString(intervalSep)
+	out.writeString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(sec), 10))
+	out.writeString(intervalSep)
+	out.writeString(strconv.FormatInt(int64(msec), 10))
+	out.writeString("' HOUR_MICROSECOND")
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/expression_old_test.go b/sqlbuilder/expression_old_test.go
index 91be17a..0d2b0e9 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/expression_old_test.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/expression_old_test.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestConjunctExprEmptyList(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.NotNil)
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestConjunctExprNilInList(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.NotNil)
 }
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestConjunctExprSingleElement(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestLikeExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestRegexExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestAndExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestOrExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestBinaryExprNilLHS(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.NotNil)
 }
 
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestNegateExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestBinaryExprNilRHS(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.NotNil)
 }
 
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestEqExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestEqExprNilLHS(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestNeqExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestNeqExprNilLHS(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestLtExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestLteExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestGtExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ func (s *ExprSuite) TestGteExpr(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := expr.serialize(buf)
+	err := expr.serialize(0, buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/expression_table.go b/sqlbuilder/expression_table.go
index c8de48e..b68f899 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/expression_table.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/expression_table.go
@@ -47,16 +47,16 @@ func (s *expressionTableImpl) RefStringColumn(column column) *StringColumn {
 	return strColumn
 }
 
-func (s *expressionTableImpl) serializeSql(out *queryData) error {
-	out.WriteString("( ")
-	err := s.statement.serialize(out)
+func (s *expressionTableImpl) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.writeString("( ")
+	err := s.statement.serialize(statement, out)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(" ) AS ")
-	out.WriteString(s.alias)
+	out.writeString(" ) AS ")
+	out.writeString(s.alias)
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/func_expression.go b/sqlbuilder/func_expression.go
index b652756..2d8c325 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/func_expression.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/func_expression.go
@@ -28,14 +28,14 @@ func newFunc(name string, expressions []expression, parent expression) *funcExpr
 	return funcExp
 }
 
-func (f *funcExpressionImpl) serialize(out *queryData) error {
-	out.WriteString(f.name)
-	out.WriteString("(")
-	err := serializeExpressionList(f.expression, ", ", out)
+func (f *funcExpressionImpl) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.writeString(f.name)
+	out.writeString("(")
+	err := serializeExpressionList(statement, f.expression, ", ", out)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	out.WriteString(")")
+	out.writeString(")")
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -54,10 +54,6 @@ func NewNumericFunc(name string, expressions ...expression) numericExpression {
 	return numericFunc
 }
 
-//func (f *FuncExpression) SerializeSqlForColumnList(out *bytes.Buffer) error {
-//	return f.serialize(out)
-//}
-
 func MAX(expression numericExpression) numericExpression {
 	return NewNumericFunc("MAX", expression)
 }
@@ -111,12 +107,12 @@ func (c *caseExpression) ELSE(els expression) caseInterface {
 	return c
 }
 
-func (c *caseExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
-	out.WriteString("(CASE")
+func (c *caseExpression) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.writeString("(CASE")
 
 	if c.expression != nil {
-		out.WriteString(" ")
-		err := c.expression.serialize(out)
+		out.writeString(" ")
+		err := c.expression.serialize(statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -132,15 +128,15 @@ func (c *caseExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
 	}
 
 	for i, when := range c.when {
-		out.WriteString(" WHEN ")
-		err := when.serialize(out)
+		out.writeString(" WHEN ")
+		err := when.serialize(statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		out.WriteString(" THEN ")
-		err = c.then[i].serialize(out)
+		out.writeString(" THEN ")
+		err = c.then[i].serialize(statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -148,15 +144,15 @@ func (c *caseExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
 	}
 
 	if c.els != nil {
-		out.WriteString(" ELSE ")
-		err := c.els.serialize(out)
+		out.writeString(" ELSE ")
+		err := c.els.serialize(statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(" END)")
+	out.writeString(" END)")
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/func_expression_test.go b/sqlbuilder/func_expression_test.go
index c5da68c..4f7931c 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/func_expression_test.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/func_expression_test.go
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ func TestCase1(t *testing.T) {
 
 	queryData := &queryData{}
 
-	err := query.serialize(queryData)
+	err := query.serialize(select_statement, queryData)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, queryData.buff.String(), `(CASE WHEN table3.col1 = $1 THEN table3.col1 + $2 WHEN table3.col1 = $3 THEN table3.col1 + $4 END)`)
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ func TestCase2(t *testing.T) {
 
 	queryData := &queryData{}
 
-	err := query.serialize(queryData)
+	err := query.serialize(select_statement, queryData)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, queryData.buff.String(), `(CASE table3.col1 WHEN $1 THEN table3.col1 + $2 WHEN $3 THEN table3.col1 + $4 ELSE $5 END)`)
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func TestInterval(t *testing.T) {
 
 	queryData := &queryData{}
 
-	err := query.serialize(queryData)
+	err := query.serialize(select_statement, queryData)
 
 	assert.NilError(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, queryData.buff.String(), `INTERVAL $1`)
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/group_by_clause.go b/sqlbuilder/group_by_clause.go
index 9ca6602..5e68dda 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/group_by_clause.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/group_by_clause.go
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package sqlbuilder
 
 type groupByClause interface {
-	serializeForGroupBy(out *queryData) error
+	serializeForGroupBy(statement statementType, out *queryData) error
 }
 
 // TODO: GROUPING SETS, CUBE, and ROLLUP
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/insert_statement.go b/sqlbuilder/insert_statement.go
index a22ac9c..0559d1e 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/insert_statement.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/insert_statement.go
@@ -127,29 +127,28 @@ func (s *insertStatementImpl) Sql() (sql string, args []interface{}, err error)
 	}
 
 	queryData := &queryData{}
-	queryData.statementType = insert_statement
-	queryData.WriteString("INSERT INTO ")
+	queryData.writeString("INSERT INTO ")
 
 	if s.table == nil {
 		return "", nil, errors.Newf("nil tableName.")
 	}
 
-	err = s.table.serializeSql(queryData)
+	err = s.table.serialize(insert_statement, queryData)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", nil, err
 	}
 
 	if len(s.columns) > 0 {
-		queryData.WriteString(" (")
+		queryData.writeString(" (")
 
-		err = serializeColumnList(s.columns, queryData)
+		err = serializeColumnList(insert_statement, s.columns, queryData)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return "", nil, err
 		}
 
-		queryData.WriteString(") ")
+		queryData.writeString(") ")
 	}
 
 	if len(s.rows) == 0 && s.query == nil {
@@ -161,28 +160,28 @@ func (s *insertStatementImpl) Sql() (sql string, args []interface{}, err error)
 	}
 
 	if len(s.rows) > 0 {
-		queryData.WriteString("VALUES (")
+		queryData.writeString("VALUES (")
 		for row_i, row := range s.rows {
 			if row_i > 0 {
-				queryData.WriteString(", (")
+				queryData.writeString(", (")
 			}
 
 			if len(row) != len(s.columns) {
 				return "", nil, errors.New("# of values does not match # of columns.")
 			}
 
-			err = serializeClauseList(row, queryData)
+			err = serializeClauseList(insert_statement, row, queryData)
 
 			if err != nil {
 				return "", nil, err
 			}
 
-			queryData.WriteByte(')')
+			queryData.writeByte(')')
 		}
 	}
 
 	if s.query != nil {
-		err = s.query.serialize(queryData)
+		err = s.query.serialize(insert_statement, queryData)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return
@@ -190,16 +189,16 @@ func (s *insertStatementImpl) Sql() (sql string, args []interface{}, err error)
 	}
 
 	if len(s.returning) > 0 {
-		queryData.WriteString(" RETURNING ")
+		queryData.writeString(" RETURNING ")
 
-		err = queryData.WriteProjection(s.returning)
+		err = queryData.writeProjection(insert_statement, s.returning)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return
 		}
 	}
 
-	queryData.WriteByte(';')
+	queryData.writeByte(';')
 
 	return queryData.buff.String(), queryData.args, nil
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/keyword.go b/sqlbuilder/keyword.go
index 5bba22e..cdd642a 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/keyword.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/keyword.go
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ const (
 
 type keywordClause string
 
-func (k keywordClause) serialize(out *queryData) error {
-	out.WriteString(string(k))
+func (k keywordClause) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.writeString(string(k))
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/literal_expression.go b/sqlbuilder/literal_expression.go
index 6dba095..34d921e 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/literal_expression.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/literal_expression.go
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ func Literal(value interface{}) *literalExpression {
 	return &exp
 }
 
-func (l literalExpression) serialize(out *queryData) error {
-	out.InsertArgument(l.value)
+func (l literalExpression) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.insertArgument(l.value)
 
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/lock_statement.go b/sqlbuilder/lock_statement.go
index 18482a0..2f5cb8d 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/lock_statement.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/lock_statement.go
@@ -59,14 +59,14 @@ func (l *lockStatementImpl) Sql() (query string, args []interface{}, err error)
 
 	out := &queryData{}
 
-	out.WriteString("LOCK TABLE ")
+	out.writeString("LOCK TABLE ")
 
 	for i, table := range l.tables {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(", ")
+			out.writeString(", ")
 		}
 
-		err := table.serializeSql(out)
+		err := table.serialize(lock_statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return "", nil, err
@@ -74,13 +74,13 @@ func (l *lockStatementImpl) Sql() (query string, args []interface{}, err error)
 	}
 
 	if l.lockMode != "" {
-		out.WriteString(" IN ")
-		out.WriteString(string(l.lockMode))
-		out.WriteString(" MODE")
+		out.writeString(" IN ")
+		out.writeString(string(l.lockMode))
+		out.writeString(" MODE")
 	}
 
 	if l.nowait {
-		out.WriteString(" NOWAIT")
+		out.writeString(" NOWAIT")
 	}
 
 	return out.buff.String(), out.args, nil
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/numeric_expression.go b/sqlbuilder/numeric_expression.go
index e068532..8a23b46 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/numeric_expression.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/numeric_expression.go
@@ -130,10 +130,10 @@ func newNumericExpressionWrap(expression expression) numericExpression {
 	return &numericExpressionWrap
 }
 
-func (c *numericExpressionWrapper) serialize(out *queryData) error {
-	out.WriteString("(")
-	err := c.expression.serialize(out)
-	out.WriteString(")")
+func (c *numericExpressionWrapper) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
+	out.writeString("(")
+	err := c.expression.serialize(statement, out)
+	out.writeString(")")
 
 	return err
 }
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/order_by_clause.go b/sqlbuilder/order_by_clause.go
index 7e82645..ab18c64 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/order_by_clause.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/order_by_clause.go
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ package sqlbuilder
 import "github.com/dropbox/godropbox/errors"
 
 type orderByClause interface {
-	serializeAsOrderBy(out *queryData) error
+	serializeAsOrderBy(statement statementType, out *queryData) error
 }
 
 type orderByClauseImpl struct {
@@ -11,19 +11,19 @@ type orderByClauseImpl struct {
 	ascent     bool
 }
 
-func (o *orderByClauseImpl) serializeAsOrderBy(out *queryData) error {
+func (o *orderByClauseImpl) serializeAsOrderBy(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 	if o.expression == nil {
 		return errors.Newf("nil orderBy by clause.")
 	}
 
-	if err := o.expression.serializeAsOrderBy(out); err != nil {
+	if err := o.expression.serializeAsOrderBy(statement, out); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if o.ascent {
-		out.WriteString(" ASC")
+		out.writeString(" ASC")
 	} else {
-		out.WriteString(" DESC")
+		out.writeString(" DESC")
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/projection.go b/sqlbuilder/projection.go
index 4cb9c88..a90914d 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/projection.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/projection.go
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package sqlbuilder
 
 type projection interface {
-	serializeForProjection(out *queryData) error
+	serializeForProjection(statement statementType, out *queryData) error
 }
 
 //------------------------------------------------------//
@@ -10,16 +10,16 @@ type ColumnList []column
 
 func (cl ColumnList) isProjectionType() {}
 
-func (cl ColumnList) serializeForProjection(out *queryData) error {
+func (cl ColumnList) serializeForProjection(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 	for i, column := range cl {
-		err := column.serializeForProjection(out)
+		err := column.serializeForProjection(statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
 		if i != len(cl)-1 {
-			out.WriteString(", ")
+			out.writeString(", ")
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/select_statement.go b/sqlbuilder/select_statement.go
index 0152fa1..6f3ed71 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/select_statement.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/select_statement.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ type selectStatement interface {
 	AsTable(alias string) expressionTable
 }
 
-var SELECT = func(projection ...projection) selectStatement {
+func SELECT(projection ...projection) selectStatement {
 	return newSelectStatement(nil, projection)
 }
 
@@ -83,9 +83,9 @@ func (s *selectStatementImpl) FROM(table readableTable) selectStatement {
 	return s
 }
 
-func (s *selectStatementImpl) serialize(out *queryData) error {
+func (s *selectStatementImpl) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 
-	out.WriteString("(")
+	out.writeString("(")
 
 	err := s.serializeImpl(out)
 
@@ -93,42 +93,41 @@ func (s *selectStatementImpl) serialize(out *queryData) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(")")
+	out.writeString(")")
 
 	return nil
 }
 
 func (s *selectStatementImpl) serializeImpl(out *queryData) error {
 
-	out.WriteString("SELECT ")
-	out.statementType = select_statement
+	out.writeString("SELECT ")
 
 	if s.distinct {
-		out.WriteString("DISTINCT ")
+		out.writeString("DISTINCT ")
 	}
 
 	if s.projections == nil || len(s.projections) == 0 {
 		return errors.New("No column selected for projection.")
 	}
 
-	err := out.WriteProjection(s.projections)
+	err := out.writeProjection(select_statement, s.projections)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(" FROM ")
+	out.writeString(" FROM ")
 
 	if s.table == nil {
 		return errors.Newf("nil tableName.")
 	}
 
-	if err := s.table.serializeSql(out); err != nil {
+	if err := s.table.serialize(select_statement, out); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if s.where != nil {
-		err := out.WriteWhere(s.where)
+		err := out.writeWhere(select_statement, s.where)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil
@@ -136,7 +135,7 @@ func (s *selectStatementImpl) serializeImpl(out *queryData) error {
 	}
 
 	if s.groupBy != nil && len(s.groupBy) > 0 {
-		err := out.WriteGroupBy(s.groupBy)
+		err := out.writeGroupBy(select_statement, s.groupBy)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -144,7 +143,7 @@ func (s *selectStatementImpl) serializeImpl(out *queryData) error {
 	}
 
 	if s.having != nil {
-		err := out.WriteHaving(s.having)
+		err := out.writeHaving(select_statement, s.having)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -152,7 +151,7 @@ func (s *selectStatementImpl) serializeImpl(out *queryData) error {
 	}
 
 	if s.orderBy != nil {
-		err := out.WriteOrderBy(s.orderBy)
+		err := out.writeOrderBy(select_statement, s.orderBy)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -160,17 +159,17 @@ func (s *selectStatementImpl) serializeImpl(out *queryData) error {
 	}
 
 	if s.limit >= 0 {
-		out.WriteString(" LIMIT ")
-		out.InsertArgument(s.limit)
+		out.writeString(" LIMIT ")
+		out.insertArgument(s.limit)
 	}
 
 	if s.offset >= 0 {
-		out.WriteString(" OFFSET ")
-		out.InsertArgument(s.offset)
+		out.writeString(" OFFSET ")
+		out.insertArgument(s.offset)
 	}
 
 	if s.forUpdate {
-		out.WriteString(" FOR UPDATE")
+		out.writeString(" FOR UPDATE")
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/set_statement.go b/sqlbuilder/set_statement.go
index f216f19..1609414 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/set_statement.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/set_statement.go
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ func (us *setStatementImpl) AsTable(alias string) expressionTable {
 	}
 }
 
-func (s *setStatementImpl) serialize(out *queryData) error {
+func (s *setStatementImpl) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 	if s.orderBy != nil || s.limit >= 0 || s.offset >= 0 {
-		out.WriteString("(")
+		out.writeString("(")
 	}
 
 	err := s.serializeImpl(out)
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ func (s *setStatementImpl) serialize(out *queryData) error {
 	}
 
 	if s.orderBy != nil || s.limit >= 0 || s.offset >= 0 {
-		out.WriteString(")")
+		out.writeString(")")
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -120,43 +120,41 @@ func (s *setStatementImpl) serializeImpl(out *queryData) error {
 		return errors.Newf("UNION statement must have at least two SELECT statements.")
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString("(")
+	out.writeString("(")
 
 	for i, selectStmt := range s.selects {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(" " + s.operator + " ")
+			out.writeString(" " + s.operator + " ")
 
 			if s.all {
-				out.WriteString(" ALL ")
+				out.writeString(" ALL ")
 			}
 		}
 
-		err := selectStmt.serialize(out)
+		err := selectStmt.serialize(set_statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(")")
-
-	out.statementType = set_statement
+	out.writeString(")")
 
 	if s.orderBy != nil {
-		err := out.WriteOrderBy(s.orderBy)
+		err := out.writeOrderBy(set_statement, s.orderBy)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
 
 	if s.limit >= 0 {
-		out.WriteString(" LIMIT ")
-		out.InsertArgument(s.limit)
+		out.writeString(" LIMIT ")
+		out.insertArgument(s.limit)
 	}
 
 	if s.offset >= 0 {
-		out.WriteString(" OFFSET ")
-		out.InsertArgument(s.offset)
+		out.writeString(" OFFSET ")
+		out.insertArgument(s.offset)
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/table.go b/sqlbuilder/table.go
index 53a4955..5bd4788 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/table.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/table.go
@@ -7,12 +7,11 @@ import (
 )
 
 type tableInterface interface {
+	clause
 	SchemaName() string
 	TableName() string
 
 	Columns() []column
-	// Generates the sql string for the current tableName expression.
-	serializeSql(out *queryData) error
 }
 
 // The sql tableName read interface.  NOTE: NATURAL JOINs, and join "USING" clause
@@ -108,18 +107,18 @@ func (t *Table) Columns() []column {
 
 // Generates the sql string for the current tableName expression.  Note: the
 // generated string may not be a valid/executable sql statement.
-func (t *Table) serializeSql(out *queryData) error {
+func (t *Table) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) error {
 	if t == nil {
 		return errors.Newf("nil tableName.")
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(t.schemaName)
-	out.WriteString(".")
-	out.WriteString(t.TableName())
+	out.writeString(t.schemaName)
+	out.writeString(".")
+	out.writeString(t.TableName())
 
 	if len(t.alias) > 0 {
-		out.WriteString(" AS ")
-		out.WriteString(t.alias)
+		out.writeString(" AS ")
+		out.writeString(t.alias)
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -272,7 +271,7 @@ func (t *joinTable) Column(name string) column {
 	}
 }
 
-func (t *joinTable) serializeSql(out *queryData) (err error) {
+func (t *joinTable) serialize(statement statementType, out *queryData) (err error) {
 
 	if t.lhs == nil {
 		return errors.Newf("nil lhs.")
@@ -284,30 +283,30 @@ func (t *joinTable) serializeSql(out *queryData) (err error) {
 		return errors.Newf("nil onCondition.")
 	}
 
-	if err = t.lhs.serializeSql(out); err != nil {
+	if err = t.lhs.serialize(statement, out); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
 	switch t.join_type {
 	case INNER_JOIN:
-		out.WriteString(" JOIN ")
+		out.writeString(" JOIN ")
 	case LEFT_JOIN:
-		out.WriteString(" LEFT JOIN ")
+		out.writeString(" LEFT JOIN ")
 	case RIGHT_JOIN:
-		out.WriteString(" RIGHT JOIN ")
+		out.writeString(" RIGHT JOIN ")
 	case FULL_JOIN:
-		out.WriteString(" FULL JOIN ")
+		out.writeString(" FULL JOIN ")
 	case CROSS_JOIN:
-		out.WriteString(" CROSS JOIN ")
+		out.writeString(" CROSS JOIN ")
 	}
 
-	if err = t.rhs.serializeSql(out); err != nil {
+	if err = t.rhs.serialize(statement, out); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
 	if t.onCondition != nil {
-		out.WriteString(" ON ")
-		if err = t.onCondition.serialize(out); err != nil {
+		out.writeString(" ON ")
+		if err = t.onCondition.serialize(statement, out); err != nil {
 			return
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/table_test.go b/sqlbuilder/table_test.go
index 1157ba1..8c19735 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/table_test.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/table_test.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ func (s *TableSuite) TestJoinNilLeftTable(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := join.serializeSql(buf)
+	err := join.serialize("", buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.NotNil)
 }
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ func (s *TableSuite) TestJoinNilRightTable(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := join.serializeSql(buf)
+	err := join.serialize("", buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.NotNil)
 }
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ func (s *TableSuite) TestJoinNilOnCondition(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := join.serializeSql(buf)
+	err := join.serialize("", buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.NotNil)
 }
 
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func (s *TableSuite) TestLeftJoin(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := join.serializeSql(buf)
+	err := join.serialize("", buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func (s *TableSuite) TestRightJoin(c *gc.C) {
 
 	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
 
-	err := join.serializeSql(buf)
+	err := join.serialize("", buf)
 	c.Assert(err, gc.IsNil)
 
 	sql := buf.String()
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/update_statement.go b/sqlbuilder/update_statement.go
index a9efd85..88a186f 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/update_statement.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/update_statement.go
@@ -54,15 +54,14 @@ func (u *updateStatementImpl) RETURNING(projections ...projection) updateStateme
 
 func (u *updateStatementImpl) Sql() (sql string, args []interface{}, err error) {
 	out := &queryData{}
-	out.statementType = update_statement
 
-	out.WriteString("UPDATE ")
+	out.writeString("UPDATE ")
 
 	if u.table == nil {
 		return "", nil, errors.New("nil tableName.")
 	}
 
-	if err = u.table.serializeSql(out); err != nil {
+	if err = u.table.serialize(update_statement, out); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -70,36 +69,36 @@ func (u *updateStatementImpl) Sql() (sql string, args []interface{}, err error)
 		return "", nil, errors.New("No column updated.")
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(" SET")
+	out.writeString(" SET")
 
 	if len(u.columns) > 1 {
-		out.WriteString(" ( ")
+		out.writeString(" ( ")
 	} else {
-		out.WriteString(" ")
+		out.writeString(" ")
 	}
 
-	err = serializeColumnList(u.columns, out)
+	err = serializeColumnList(update_statement, u.columns, out)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", nil, err
 	}
 
 	if len(u.columns) > 1 {
-		out.WriteString(" )")
+		out.writeString(" )")
 	}
 
-	out.WriteString(" =")
+	out.writeString(" =")
 
 	if len(u.updateValues) > 1 {
-		out.WriteString(" (")
+		out.writeString(" (")
 	}
 
 	for i, value := range u.updateValues {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(", ")
+			out.writeString(", ")
 		}
 
-		err = value.serialize(out)
+		err = value.serialize(update_statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return
@@ -107,21 +106,21 @@ func (u *updateStatementImpl) Sql() (sql string, args []interface{}, err error)
 	}
 
 	if len(u.updateValues) > 1 {
-		out.WriteString(" )")
+		out.writeString(" )")
 	}
 
 	if u.where == nil {
 		return "", nil, errors.New("Updating without a WHERE clause.")
 	}
 
-	if err = out.WriteWhere(u.where); err != nil {
+	if err = out.writeWhere(update_statement, u.where); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
 
 	if len(u.returning) > 0 {
-		out.WriteString(" RETURNING ")
+		out.writeString(" RETURNING ")
 
-		err = serializeProjectionList(u.returning, out)
+		err = serializeProjectionList(update_statement, u.returning, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return
diff --git a/sqlbuilder/utils.go b/sqlbuilder/utils.go
index c05a929..1ea6f0c 100644
--- a/sqlbuilder/utils.go
+++ b/sqlbuilder/utils.go
@@ -7,14 +7,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/sub0zero/go-sqlbuilder/types"
 )
 
-func serializeOrderByClauseList(orderByClauses []orderByClause, out *queryData) error {
+func serializeOrderByClauseList(statement statementType, orderByClauses []orderByClause, out *queryData) error {
 
 	for i, value := range orderByClauses {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(", ")
+			out.writeString(", ")
 		}
 
-		err := value.serializeAsOrderBy(out)
+		err := value.serializeAsOrderBy(statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -24,18 +24,18 @@ func serializeOrderByClauseList(orderByClauses []orderByClause, out *queryData)
 	return nil
 }
 
-func serializeGroupByClauseList(clauses []groupByClause, out *queryData) (err error) {
+func serializeGroupByClauseList(statement statementType, clauses []groupByClause, out *queryData) (err error) {
 
 	for i, c := range clauses {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(", ")
+			out.writeString(", ")
 		}
 
 		if c == nil {
 			return errors.New("nil clause.")
 		}
 
-		if err = c.serializeForGroupBy(out); err != nil {
+		if err = c.serializeForGroupBy(statement, out); err != nil {
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -43,18 +43,18 @@ func serializeGroupByClauseList(clauses []groupByClause, out *queryData) (err er
 	return nil
 }
 
-func serializeClauseList(clauses []clause, out *queryData) (err error) {
+func serializeClauseList(statement statementType, clauses []clause, out *queryData) (err error) {
 
 	for i, c := range clauses {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(", ")
+			out.writeString(", ")
 		}
 
 		if c == nil {
 			return errors.New("nil clause.")
 		}
 
-		if err = c.serialize(out); err != nil {
+		if err = c.serialize(statement, out); err != nil {
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -62,14 +62,14 @@ func serializeClauseList(clauses []clause, out *queryData) (err error) {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func serializeExpressionList(expressions []expression, separator string, out *queryData) error {
+func serializeExpressionList(statement statementType, expressions []expression, separator string, out *queryData) error {
 
 	for i, value := range expressions {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(separator)
+			out.writeString(separator)
 		}
 
-		err := value.serialize(out)
+		err := value.serialize(statement, out)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -79,16 +79,16 @@ func serializeExpressionList(expressions []expression, separator string, out *qu
 	return nil
 }
 
-func serializeProjectionList(projections []projection, out *queryData) error {
+func serializeProjectionList(statement statementType, projections []projection, out *queryData) error {
 	for i, col := range projections {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteString(", ")
+			out.writeString(", ")
 		}
 		if col == nil {
 			return errors.New("projection expression is nil.")
 		}
 
-		if err := col.serializeForProjection(out); err != nil {
+		if err := col.serializeForProjection(statement, out); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -96,17 +96,17 @@ func serializeProjectionList(projections []projection, out *queryData) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func serializeColumnList(columns []column, out *queryData) error {
+func serializeColumnList(statement statementType, columns []column, out *queryData) error {
 	for i, col := range columns {
 		if i > 0 {
-			out.WriteByte(',')
+			out.writeByte(',')
 		}
 
 		if col == nil {
 			return errors.New("nil column in columns list.")
 		}
 
-		out.WriteString(col.Name())
+		out.writeString(col.Name())
 	}
 
 	return nil