diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3afa2fd80..993eae6ee 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Fixed
+
+* `break` help text to clarify placeholders from literals.
+
 ### Removed
 
 * Support for MRI 2.2. Byebug no longer installs on this platform.
diff --git a/lib/byebug/commands/break.rb b/lib/byebug/commands/break.rb
index f0b96c6f2..947dc22c2 100644
--- a/lib/byebug/commands/break.rb
+++ b/lib/byebug/commands/break.rb
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ def self.regexp
 
     def self.description
       <<-DESCRIPTION
-        b[reak] [file:]line [if expr]
-        b[reak] [module::...]class(.|#)method [if expr]
+        b[reak] [<file>:]<line> [if <expr>]
+        b[reak] [<module>::...]<class>(.|#)<method> [if <expr>]
 
         They can be specified by line or method and an expression can be added
         for conditionally enabled breakpoints.
diff --git a/test/commands/break_test.rb b/test/commands/break_test.rb
index ae50b4506..161b61fe0 100644
--- a/test/commands/break_test.rb
+++ b/test/commands/break_test.rb
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ def test_shows_info_about_setting_breakpoints_when_using_just_break
       enter "break", "cont"
       debug_code(program)
 
-      check_output_includes(/b\[reak\] \[file:\]line \[if expr\]/)
+      check_output_includes(/b\[reak\] \[<file>:\]<line> \[if <expr>\]/)
     end
 
     def test_setting_breakpoint_uses_new_source
diff --git a/test/commands/help_test.rb b/test/commands/help_test.rb
index c920ad306..c143e4f11 100644
--- a/test/commands/help_test.rb
+++ b/test/commands/help_test.rb
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ def test_help_with_specific_command_shows_help_for_it
       debug_code(minimal_program)
 
       expected_output = split_lines <<-TXT
-        b[reak] [file:]line [if expr]
-        b[reak] [module::...]class(.|#)method [if expr]
+        b[reak] [<file>:]<line> [if <expr>]
+        b[reak] [<module>::...]<class>(.|#)<method> [if <expr>]
 
         Sets breakpoints in the source code
       TXT