diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/notation.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/notation.sgml
index bd1e8f629a..c0f41569cb 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/notation.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/notation.sgml
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
  <para>
   The following conventions are used in the synopsis of a command:
   brackets (<literal>[</literal> and <literal>]</literal>) indicate
-  optional parts.  (In the synopsis of a Tcl command, question marks
-  (<literal>?</literal>) are used instead, as is usual in Tcl.)  Braces
+  optional parts.  Braces
   (<literal>{</literal> and <literal>}</literal>) and vertical lines
   (<literal>|</literal>) indicate that you must choose one
   alternative.  Dots (<literal>...</literal>) mean that the preceding element
-  can be repeated.
+  can be repeated.  All other symbols, including parentheses, should be
+  taken literally.  (In the synopsis of a Tcl command, question marks
+  (<literal>?</literal>) are used instead of brackets.)
  </para>
 
  <para>