diff --git a/man7/cgroups.7 b/man7/cgroups.7
index 067bbfbdc..4dc4c9731 100644
--- a/man7/cgroups.7
+++ b/man7/cgroups.7
@@ -59,11 +59,10 @@ The cgroups for a subsystem are arranged in a
 .IR hierarchy .
 This hierarchy is defined by creating, removing, and
 renaming subdirectories within the cgroup filesystem.
-At each level of the hierarchy, attributes (e.g., limits) can be defined;
-these attributes may govern or propagate
-to child cgroups and their descendants in the hierarchy.
-
-The limits, control, and accounting provided by cgroups are hierarchical.
+At each level of the hierarchy, attributes (e.g., limits) can be defined.
+The limits, control, and accounting provided by cgroups generally have
+effect throughout the subhierarchy underneath the cgroup where the
+attributes are defined.
 Thus, for example, the limits placed on
 a cgroup at a higher level in the hierarchy cannot be exceeded
 by descendant cgroups.