_VARIABLES.md: improve the description

Closes #13040

diff --git a/docs/cmdline-opts/_VARIABLES.md b/docs/cmdline-opts/_VARIABLES.md
index 77e9523b9a9126cdf1467353aabfa70d2abb255a..aa6a8ae4f739a5d777b466e1a209f875448727da 100644 (file)
--- a/docs/cmdline-opts/_VARIABLES.md
+++ b/docs/cmdline-opts/_VARIABLES.md
@@ -26,15 +26,15 @@ set:
 
 When expanding variables, curl supports a set of functions that can make the
 variable contents more convenient to use. It can trim leading and trailing
-white space with *trim*, it can output the contents as a JSON quoted string
-with *json*, URL encode the string with *url* or base64 encode it with
-*b64*. You apply function to a variable expansion, add them colon separated to
-the right side of the variable. Variable content holding null bytes that are
-not encoded when expanded cause error.
+white space with `trim`, it can output the contents as a JSON quoted string
+with `json`, URL encode the string with `url` or base64 encode it with `b64`.
+To apply functions to a variable expansion, add them colon separated to the
+right side of the variable. Variable content holding null bytes that are not
+encoded when expanded cause error.
 
 Example: get the contents of a file called $HOME/.secret into a variable
-called "fix". Make sure that the content is trimmed and percent-encoded sent
-as POST data:
+called "fix". Make sure that the content is trimmed and percent-encoded when
+sent as POST data:
 
     --variable %HOME
     --expand-variable fix@{{HOME}}/.secret