diff --git a/language/variables.sgml b/language/variables.sgml
index f35adc7f2d..277e219342 100644
--- a/language/variables.sgml
+++ b/language/variables.sgml
@@ -509,7 +509,18 @@ $bar = &test();    // Invalid.
 
     <simpara>
      The scope of a variable is the context within which it is defined.
-     For the most part all PHP variables only have a single scope.
+     For the most part all PHP variables only have a single scope.  This
+	 single scope spans included and required files as well.  For example:
+	 </simpara>
+	<informalexample>
+	 <programlisting>
+$a = 1;
+include "b.inc";
+	 </programlisting>
+	</informalexample>
+	 <simpara>
+	 Here the $a variable will be available within the included b.inc 
+	 script.  
      However, within user-defined functions a local function scope is
      introduced.  Any variable used inside a function is by default
      limited to the local function scope.  For example:</simpara>