first.
@kbd{C-M-\} (@code{indent-region}) applies @key{TAB} to the region.
-This is useful when Transient Mark mode is disabled (@pxref{Persistent
-Mark}), because in that case @key{TAB} does not act on the region.
+This is useful when Transient Mark mode is disabled (@pxref{Disabled
+Transient Mark}), because in that case @key{TAB} does not act on the
+region.
@kindex C-u TAB
If you like the relative indentation within a grouping but not the
@kindex C-M-@@
@kindex C-M-@key{SPC}
@findex mark-sexp
- To set the region around the next balanced expression in the buffer,
-use @kbd{C-M-@key{SPC}} (@code{mark-sexp}), which sets mark at the
-same place that @kbd{C-M-f} would move to. @kbd{C-M-@key{SPC}} treats
+ To operate on balanced expressions with an operation which acts on
+the region, use the command @kbd{C-M-@key{SPC}} (@code{mark-sexp}).
+This sets the mark at the same place that @kbd{C-M-f} would move to.
+@xref{Marking Objects}, for more information about this command.
+
+@kbd{C-M-@key{SPC}} treats
numeric arguments in the same way as @kbd{C-M-f}; in particular, a
negative argument puts the mark at the beginning of the previous
balanced expression. The alias @kbd{C-M-@@} is equivalent to