diff --git a/pandas/core/generic.py b/pandas/core/generic.py
index 1879f77c7628b..811604432a018 100644
--- a/pandas/core/generic.py
+++ b/pandas/core/generic.py
@@ -3159,12 +3159,14 @@ def shift(self, periods=1, freq=None, axis=0, **kwds):
         periods : int
             Number of periods to move, can be positive or negative
         freq : DateOffset, timedelta, or time rule string, optional
-            Increment to use from datetools module or time rule (e.g. 'EOM')
+            Increment to use from datetools module or time rule (e.g. 'EOM').
+            See Notes.
 
         Notes
         -----
         If freq is specified then the index values are shifted but the data
-        if not realigned
+        is not realigned. That is, use freq if you would like to extend the
+        index when shifting and preserve the original data.
 
         Returns
         -------