diff --git a/reference/strings/functions/sprintf.xml b/reference/strings/functions/sprintf.xml
index baa653f53e..dd38ced27c 100644
--- a/reference/strings/functions/sprintf.xml
+++ b/reference/strings/functions/sprintf.xml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
-<!-- $Revision: 1.20 $ -->
+<!-- $Revision: 1.21 $ -->
 <refentry xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" xml:id="function.sprintf">
  <refnamediv>
   <refname>sprintf</refname>
@@ -76,10 +76,12 @@
         </listitem>
         <listitem>
          <simpara>
-          An optional <emphasis>precision specifier</emphasis> that says
-          how many decimal digits should be displayed for floating-point
-          numbers. When using this specifier on a string, it acts as a
-          cutoff point, setting a maximum character limit to the string.
+          An optional <emphasis>precision specifier</emphasis> in the form
+          of a period (`.') followed by an optional decimal digit string
+          that says how many decimal digits should be displayed for
+          floating-point numbers. When using this specifier on a string,
+          it acts as a cutoff point, setting a maximum character limit to
+          the string.
          </simpara>
         </listitem>
         <listitem>