diff --git a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/math3/linear/FieldMatrix.java b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/math3/linear/FieldMatrix.java
index 9c67f2265..c6cea9762 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/math3/linear/FieldMatrix.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/math3/linear/FieldMatrix.java
@@ -176,26 +176,25 @@ public interface FieldMatrix<T extends FieldElement<T>> extends AnyMatrix {
    throws NoDataException, NullArgumentException, OutOfRangeException;
 
    /**
-    * Copy a submatrix. Rows and columns are indicated
-    * counting from 0 to n-1.
+    * Copy a submatrix. Rows and columns are 0-based. The designated submatrix
+    * is copied into the top left portion of the destination array.
     *
     * @param startRow Initial row index.
     * @param endRow Final row index (inclusive).
     * @param startColumn Initial column index.
     * @param endColumn Final column index (inclusive).
-    * @param destination The arrays where the submatrix data should be copied
-    * (if larger than rows/columns counts, only the upper-left part will be used).
+    * @param destination The array where the submatrix data should be copied
+    * (if larger than rows/columns counts, only the upper-left part will be modified).
     * @throws MatrixDimensionMismatchException if the dimensions of
-    * {@code destination} do not match those of {@code this}.
-    * @throws NumberIsTooSmallException is {@code endRow < startRow} of
+    * {@code destination} are not large enough to hold the submatrix.
+    * @throws NumberIsTooSmallException if {@code endRow < startRow} or
     * {@code endColumn < startColumn}.
     * @throws OutOfRangeException if the indices are not valid.
-    * @exception IllegalArgumentException if the destination array is too small.
     */
     void copySubMatrix(int startRow, int endRow, int startColumn, int endColumn,
                        T[][] destination)
     throws MatrixDimensionMismatchException, NumberIsTooSmallException,
-    OutOfRangeException, IllegalArgumentException;
+    OutOfRangeException;
 
   /**
    * Copy a submatrix. Rows and columns are indicated