removed unless applied to a directory. This functionality is particularly useful in conjunction with
<varname>Z</varname>.</para>
- <para>Optionally, if prefixed with <literal>:</literal>, the configured access mode is only used when
- creating new inodes. If the inode the line refers to already exists, its access mode is left in place
- unmodified.</para>
+ <para>By default the access mode of listed inodes is set to the specified mode regardless if it is
+ created anew, or already existed. Optionally, if prefixed with <literal>:</literal>, the configured
+ access mode is only applied when creating new inodes, and if the inode the line refers to
+ already exists, its access mode is left in place unmodified.</para>
</refsect2>
<refsect2>
Resolvability of User and Group Names</ulink> for more information on requirements on system user/group
definitions.</para>
- <para>Optionally, if prefixed with <literal>:</literal>, the configured user/group information is only
- used when creating new inodes. If the inode the line refers to already exists, its user/group is left
- in place unmodified.</para>
+ <para>By default the ownership of listed inodes is set to the specified user/group regardless if it is
+ created anew, or already existed. Optionally, if prefixed with <literal>:</literal>, the configured
+ user/group information is only applied when creating new inodes, and if the inode the line refers to
+ already exists, its user/group is left in place unmodified.</para>
</refsect2>
<refsect2>