diff --git a/spring-framework-reference/src/beans-scopes.xml b/spring-framework-reference/src/beans-scopes.xml
index 4c994049411..99d2a8d21b5 100644
--- a/spring-framework-reference/src/beans-scopes.xml
+++ b/spring-framework-reference/src/beans-scopes.xml
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@
   <lineannotation>&lt;!-- an HTTP <interfacename>Session</interfacename>-scoped bean exposed as a proxy --&gt;</lineannotation>
   &lt;bean id="userPreferences" class="com.foo.UserPreferences" <emphasis role="bold">scope="session"</emphasis>&gt;
 
-        <lineannotation>&lt;!-- this next element effects the proxying of the surrounding bean --&gt;</lineannotation>
+        <lineannotation>&lt;!-- instructs the container to proxy the surrounding bean --&gt;</lineannotation>
         <emphasis role="bold">&lt;aop:scoped-proxy/&gt;</emphasis>
   &lt;/bean&gt;