diff --git a/content/docs/refs-and-the-dom.md b/content/docs/refs-and-the-dom.md
index 9b56fcc9f26..8ba52d2fa5e 100644
--- a/content/docs/refs-and-the-dom.md
+++ b/content/docs/refs-and-the-dom.md
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class CustomTextInput extends React.Component {
 
 #### Refs and Function Components {#refs-and-function-components}
 
-**You may not use the `ref` attribute on function components** because they don't have instances:
+By default, **you may not use the `ref` attribute on function components** because they don't have instances:
 
 ```javascript{1,8,13}
 function MyFunctionComponent() {
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class Parent extends React.Component {
 }
 ```
 
-You should convert the component to a class if you need a ref to it, just like you do when you need lifecycle methods or state.
+If you want to allow people to take a `ref` to your function component, you can use [`forwardRef`](https://reactjs.org/docs/forwarding-refs.html) (possibly in conjunction with [`useImperativeHandle`](/docs/hooks-reference.html#useimperativehandle)), or you can convert the component to a class.
 
 You can, however, **use the `ref` attribute inside a function component** as long as you refer to a DOM element or a class component: