diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b12b2dc1..8bbf71b0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -360,9 +360,9 @@ for (const lock of allLocks) {
 
 ### Acquire
 
-`space.locks.acquire` initialises a lock request, adds it to the `locks` field of presence message extras, and calls `presence.update`.
+`space.locks.acquire` sends a request to acquire a lock using presence.
 
-It returns a Promise which resolves once `presence.update` resolves.
+It returns a Promise which resolves once the presence request has been sent.
 
 ```javascript
 const req = await space.locks.acquire(id);
@@ -377,9 +377,9 @@ It throws an error if a lock request already exists for the given identifier wit
 
 ### Release
 
-`space.locks.release` releases a previously requested lock by removing it from the `locks` field of presence message extras, and calls `presence.update`.
+`space.locks.release` releases a previously requested lock by removing it from presence.
 
-It returns a Promise which resolves once `presence.update` resolves.
+It returns a Promise which resolves once the presence request has been sent.
 
 ```javascript
 await space.locks.release(id);
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ space.locks.subscribe('update', ({ member, request }) => {
 
 Such changes occur when:
 
-- a `PENDING` request transitions to `LOCKED` (i.e. the requesting member now holds the lock)
-- a `PENDING` request transitions to `UNLOCKED` (i.e. the requesting member does not hold the lock since another member already does)
-- a `LOCKED` request transitions to `UNLOCKED` (i.e. the lock was either released or invalidated by a concurrent request which took precedence)
-- an `UNLOCKED` request transitions to `LOCKED` (i.e. the requesting member reacquired a lock)
+- a `PENDING` request transitions to `LOCKED` because the requesting member now holds the lock
+- a `PENDING` request transitions to `UNLOCKED` because the requesting member does not hold the lock since another member already does
+- a `LOCKED` request transitions to `UNLOCKED` because the lock was either released or invalidated by a concurrent request which took precedence
+- an `UNLOCKED` request transitions to `LOCKED` because the requesting member reacquired a lock