diff --git a/content/docs/higher-order-components.md b/content/docs/higher-order-components.md
index fca191d9c59..4a044e9e66d 100644
--- a/content/docs/higher-order-components.md
+++ b/content/docs/higher-order-components.md
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ import MyComponent, { someFunction } from './MyComponent.js';
 
 ### Refs Aren't Passed Through
 
-While the convention for higher-order components is to pass through all props to the wrapped component, it's not possible to pass through refs. That's because `ref` is not really a prop — like `key`, it's handled specially by React. If you add a ref to an element whose component is the result of a HOC, the ref refers to an instance of the outermost container component, not the wrapped component.
+While the convention for higher-order components is to pass through all props to the wrapped component, it's not possible to pass through refs. That's because `ref` is not really a prop — like `key`, it's handled especially by React. If you add a ref to an element whose component is the result of a HOC, the ref refers to an instance of the outermost container component, not the wrapped component.
 
 If you find yourself facing this problem, the ideal solution is to figure out how to avoid using `ref` at all. Occasionally, users who are new to the React paradigm rely on refs in situations where a prop would work better.