diff --git a/spec/Section 5 -- Validation.md b/spec/Section 5 -- Validation.md
index 75af96ffd..e6f027aab 100644
--- a/spec/Section 5 -- Validation.md	
+++ b/spec/Section 5 -- Validation.md	
@@ -1303,14 +1303,23 @@ fragment resourceFragment on Resource {
 
 **Formal Specification**
 
-- For each input Value {value} in the document:
+- For each literal Input Value {value} in the document:
   - Let {type} be the type expected in the position {value} is found.
-  - {value} must be coercible to {type}.
+  - {value} must be coercible to {type} (with the assumption that any
+    {variableUsage} nested within {value} will represent a runtime value of the
+    referenced variable's type).
 
 **Explanatory Text**
 
 Literal values must be compatible with the type expected in the position they
-are found as per the coercion rules defined in the Type System chapter.
+are found as per the coercion rules defined in the Type System chapter. Variable
+values are handled by the rule
+[All Variable Usages Are Allowed](#sec-All-Variable-Usages-Are-Allowed).
+{ListValue} and {ObjectValue} may nest additional Input Values, some of which
+may be a {variableUsage}. Each nested {variableUsage} will be coerced during
+execution - see [Coercing Variable Values](#sec-Coercing-Variable-Values) - thus
+we assume their runtime value will coerce to the type of the referenced
+variable.
 
 The type expected in a position includes the type defined by the argument a
 value is provided for, the type defined by an input object field a value is