2 files changed, 10 insertions, 8 deletions
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb
index 292de3ee61..d73fce9fd0 100644
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ module ActiveRecord
 
   # = Active Record Validations
   #
-  # Active Record includes the majority of its validations from ActiveModel::Validations
+  # Active Record includes the majority of its validations from <tt>ActiveModel::Validations</tt>
   # all of which accept the <tt>:on</tt> argument to define the context where the
   # validations are active. Active Record will always supply either the context of
   # <tt>:create</tt> or <tt>:update</tt> dependent on whether the model is a
@@ -56,14 +56,14 @@ module ActiveRecord
       perform_validations(options) ? super : raise(RecordInvalid.new(self))
     end
 
-    # Runs all the specified validations and returns true if no errors were added otherwise false.
+    # Runs all the validations within the specified context. Returns true if no errors are found,
+    # false otherwise.
     #
-    # ==== Arguments
+    # If the argument is false (default is +nil+), the context is set to <tt>:create</tt> if
+    # <tt>new_record?</tt> is true, and to <tt>:update</tt> if it is not.
     #
-    # * <tt>context</tt> - Context to scope the execution of the validations. Default is <tt>nil</tt>.
-    #   If <tt>nil</tt> then the response of <tt>new_record?</tt> will determine the context. If <tt>new_record?</tt>
-    #   returns true the context will be <tt>:create</tt>, otherwise <tt>:update</tt>.  Validation contexts
-    #   for each validation can be defined using the <tt>:on</tt> option
+    # Validations with no <tt>:on</tt> option will run no matter the context. Validations with
+    # some <tt>:on</tt> option will only run in the specified context.
     def valid?(context = nil)
       context ||= (new_record? ? :create : :update)
       output = super(context)
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations/associated.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations/associated.rb
index 0f5f2a6e99..3a783aeb00 100644
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations/associated.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations/associated.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ module ActiveRecord
       #
       # Configuration options:
       # * <tt>:message</tt> - A custom error message (default is: "is invalid")
-      # * <tt>:on</tt> - Specifies when this validation is active (default is <tt>nil</tt>, other options <tt>:create</tt>, <tt>:update</tt>).
+      # * <tt>:on</tt> - Specifies when this validation is active. Runs in all
+      #   validation contexts by default (+nil+), other options are <tt>:create</tt>
+      #   and <tt>:update</tt>.
       # * <tt>:if</tt> - Specifies a method, proc or string to call to determine if the validation should
       #   occur (e.g. <tt>:if => :allow_validation</tt>, or <tt>:if => Proc.new { |user| user.signup_step > 2 }</tt>).  The
       #   method, proc or string should return or evaluate to a true or false value.