diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 42fc0a63c0f..e9273cb6db8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-# The Rust Programming Language
+# The Rust Programming Language 
 
 This is the main source code repository for [Rust]. It contains the compiler,
-standard library, and documentation.
+standard library and documentation.
 
 [Rust]: https://www.rust-lang.org
 
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ Read ["Installation"] from [The Book].
 _Note: If you wish to contribute to the compiler, you should read [this
 chapter][rustcguidebuild] of the rustc-dev-guide instead of this section._
 
-The Rust build system has a Python script called `x.py` to bootstrap building
-the compiler. More information about it may be found by running `./x.py --help`
+The Rust build system has a Python script called `x.py` to bootstrap when building
+the compiler. More information about it can be found by running `./x.py --help`
 or reading the [rustc dev guide][rustcguidebuild].
 
 [rustcguidebuild]: https://rustc-dev-guide.rust-lang.org/building/how-to-build-and-run.html
@@ -54,9 +54,9 @@ or reading the [rustc dev guide][rustcguidebuild].
     $ cp config.toml.example config.toml
     ```
 
-    It is recommended that if you plan to use the Rust build system to create
-    an installation (using `./x.py install`) that you set the `prefix` value
-    in the `[install]` section to a directory that you have write permissions.
+    It is recommended that you set the `prefix` value in the `[install]` 
+    section to a directory that you have write permissions if you plan to use 
+    the Rust build system to create an installation. (using `./x.py install`)
 
     Create install directory if you are not installing in default directory
 
@@ -143,8 +143,8 @@ shell with:
 ```
 
 Currently, building Rust only works with some known versions of Visual Studio. If
-you have a more recent version installed the build system doesn't understand
-then you may need to force rustbuild to use an older version. This can be done
+you have a more recent version installed and the build system doesn't understand,
+you may need to force rustbuild to use an older version. This can be done
 by manually calling the appropriate vcvars file before running the bootstrap.
 
 ```batch