diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 76a0c91..49afbf4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ $ cocommit users
 # Syntax for the author file
 The syntax for the author file can be found at the top of the template file included in the repo. It should look like this (opt) is optional syntax:  
 ```
-name_short|Name|Username|email (opt: |ex) (opt: ) (opt: ;;group1|group2|group3...)
+name_short|Name|Username|email (opt: |ex) (opt: ;;group1|group2|group3...)
 ```
 opt explained:  
 ex -> excludes the given author for all and negation commands