diff --git a/doc/api/index.rst b/doc/api/index.rst
index 02586509f04..2b1d2b94be4 100644
--- a/doc/api/index.rst
+++ b/doc/api/index.rst
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ Saving and displaying the figure
 Configuring the display settings
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
-The following module is provided directly through the :mod:`pygmt` top level
+The following function is provided directly through the :mod:`pygmt` top level
 package.
 
 .. autosummary::
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ package.
 Color palette table generation
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
-The following modules are provided directly through the :mod:`pygmt` top level
+The following functions are provided directly through the :mod:`pygmt` top level
 package.
 
 .. autosummary::
diff --git a/doc/contributing.md b/doc/contributing.md
index d4322e64b48..d126e6fef25 100644
--- a/doc/contributing.md
+++ b/doc/contributing.md
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ Guidelines for a good tutorial:
   concise examples while the tutorials are detailed and full of text.
 * SI units should be used in the example code for tutorial plots.
 
-Note that the `Figure.show()` function needs to be called for a plot to be inserted into
+Note that the `Figure.show()` method needs to be called for a plot to be inserted into
 the documentation.
 
 ### Editing the API Documentation
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ returning the `pygmt.Figure` object:
 ```python
 @pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_my_plotting_case():
-    "Test that my plotting function works"
+    "Test that my plotting method works"
     fig = Figure()
     fig.basemap(region=[0, 360, -90, 90], projection='W7i', frame=True)
     return fig
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ Here's an example:
 ```python
 @check_figures_equal()
 def test_my_plotting_case():
-  "Test that my plotting function works"
+  "Test that my plotting method works"
   fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
   fig_ref.grdimage("@earth_relief_01d_g", projection="W120/15c", cmap="geo")
   fig_test.grdimage(grid, projection="W120/15c", cmap="geo")
diff --git a/examples/gallery/3d_plots/scatter3d.py b/examples/gallery/3d_plots/scatter3d.py
index 69d0716ab0e..73a046aba35 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/3d_plots/scatter3d.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/3d_plots/scatter3d.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 can be visualized using a perspective 3D plot. The ``region``
 parameter has to include the :math:`x`, :math:`y`, :math:`z` axis limits in the
 form of (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax, zmin, zmax), which can be done automatically
-using :meth:`pygmt.info`. To plot the z-axis frame, set ``frame`` as a
+using :func:`pygmt.info`. To plot the z-axis frame, set ``frame`` as a
 minimum to something like ``frame=["WsNeZ", "zaf"]``. Use ``perspective`` to
 control the azimuth and elevation angle of the view, and ``zscale`` to adjust
 the vertical exaggeration factor.
diff --git a/examples/gallery/embellishments/colorbars_multiple.py b/examples/gallery/embellishments/colorbars_multiple.py
index 1781816209a..412d9a88863 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/embellishments/colorbars_multiple.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/embellishments/colorbars_multiple.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
     nrows=1, ncols=2, figsize=("15c", "8c"), autolabel=True, margins="0.5c"
 ):
     # Activate the first panel so that the colormap created by the makecpt
-    # method is a panel-level CPT
+    # function is a panel-level CPT
     with fig.set_panel(panel=0):
         pygmt.makecpt(cmap="geo", series=[-8000, 8000])
         # "R?" means Winkel Tripel projection with map width automatically
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
         fig.grdimage(grid=grid_globe, projection="R?", region="g", frame="a")
         fig.colorbar(frame=["a4000f2000", "x+lElevation", "y+lm"])
     # Activate the second panel so that the colormap created by the makecpt
-    # method is a panel-level CPT
+    # function is a panel-level CPT
     with fig.set_panel(panel=1):
         pygmt.makecpt(cmap="globe", series=[-6000, 3000])
         # "M?" means Mercator projection with map width also automatically
diff --git a/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset.py b/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset.py
index fb62139cb12..45258c08c0e 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 -----
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.inset` method adds an inset figure inside a larger
-figure. The function is called using a ``with`` statement, and its
+figure. The method is called using a ``with`` statement, and its
 ``position``, ``box``, ``offset``, and ``margin`` parameters are set. Plotting
 methods called within the ``with`` statement are applied to the inset figure.
 """
diff --git a/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset_rectangle_region.py b/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset_rectangle_region.py
index 07ba3cca7f0..3786e04ee98 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset_rectangle_region.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/embellishments/inset_rectangle_region.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 --------------------------------------
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.inset` method adds an inset figure inside a larger
-figure. The function is called using a ``with`` statement, and its
+figure. The method is called using a ``with`` statement, and its
 ``position``, ``box``, ``offset``, and ``margin`` can be customized. Plotting
 methods called within the ``with`` statement plot into the inset figure.
 """
diff --git a/examples/gallery/histograms/blockm.py b/examples/gallery/histograms/blockm.py
index 12c525f0b2f..57cba5a70b3 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/histograms/blockm.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/histograms/blockm.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """
 Blockmean
 ---------
-The :meth:`pygmt.blockmean` method calculates different quantities
+The :func:`pygmt.blockmean` function calculates different quantities
 inside blocks/bins whose dimensions are defined via the ``spacing`` parameter.
 The following examples show how to calculate the averages of the given values
 inside each bin and how to report the number of points inside each bin.
diff --git a/examples/gallery/images/grdclip.py b/examples/gallery/images/grdclip.py
index 6c57d6df6f1..b4cc2b1c58e 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/images/grdclip.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/images/grdclip.py
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 """
 Clipping grid values
 --------------------
-The :meth:`pygmt.grdclip` method allows to clip defined ranges of grid values.
-In the example shown below we set all elevation values (grid points) smaller
-than 0 m (in general the bathymetric part of the grid) to a common value of
--2000 m via the ``below`` parameter.
+The :func:`pygmt.grdclip` function allows to clip defined ranges of grid
+values. In the example shown below we set all elevation values (grid points)
+smaller than 0 m (in general the bathymetric part of the grid) to a common
+value of -2000 m via the ``below`` parameter.
 """
 
 import pygmt
diff --git a/examples/gallery/images/grdgradient.py b/examples/gallery/images/grdgradient.py
index f97a58bc4d5..77c86966695 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/images/grdgradient.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/images/grdgradient.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 """
 Calculating grid gradient and radiance
 --------------------------------------
-The :meth:`pygmt.grdgradient` method calculates the gradient of a grid file.
+The :func:`pygmt.grdgradient` function calculates the gradient of a grid file.
 In the example shown below we will see how to calculate a hillshade map based
-on a Data Elevation Model (DEM). As input :meth:`pygmt.grdgradient` gets
+on a Data Elevation Model (DEM). As input :func:`pygmt.grdgradient` gets
 a :class:`xarray.DataArray` object or a path string to a grid file, calculates
 the respective gradient and returns it as an :class:`xarray.DataArray` object.
 We will use the ``radiance`` parameter in order to set the illumination source
diff --git a/examples/gallery/images/grdlandmask.py b/examples/gallery/images/grdlandmask.py
index 6fe26250aa3..2633f97255b 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/images/grdlandmask.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/images/grdlandmask.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """
 Create 'wet-dry' mask grid
 --------------------------
-The :meth:`pygmt.grdlandmask` method allows setting
+The :func:`pygmt.grdlandmask` function allows setting
 all nodes on land or water to a specified value using
 the ``maskvalues`` parameter.
 """
diff --git a/examples/gallery/lines/great_circles.py b/examples/gallery/lines/great_circles.py
index 986337da5b3..c2fe84bc161 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/lines/great_circles.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/lines/great_circles.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Generate points along great circles
 -----------------------------------
 
-The :meth:`pygmt.project` method can generate points along a great circle
+The :func:`pygmt.project` function can generate points along a great circle
 whose center and end points can be defined via the ``center`` and ``endpoint``
 parameters, respectively. Using the ``generate`` parameter allows to generate
 (*r*, *s*, *p*) points every *dist* units of *p* along a profile as
diff --git a/examples/gallery/symbols/points_categorical.py b/examples/gallery/symbols/points_categorical.py
index f291c4a4a31..ff2ced3221b 100644
--- a/examples/gallery/symbols/points_categorical.py
+++ b/examples/gallery/symbols/points_categorical.py
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 can be visualized. Here, we can pass the individual categories included in
 the "species" column directly to the ``color`` parameter via
 ``color=df.species.cat.codes.astype(int)``. Additionally, we have to set
-``cmap=True``. A desired colormap can be selected via the :meth:`pygmt.makecpt`
-method.
+``cmap=True``. A desired colormap can be selected via the :func:`pygmt.makecpt`
+function.
 """
 
 import pandas as pd
diff --git a/examples/get-started/first_figure.py b/examples/get-started/first_figure.py
index 910d918dd83..62229f509ed 100644
--- a/examples/get-started/first_figure.py
+++ b/examples/get-started/first_figure.py
@@ -37,10 +37,10 @@
 fig = pygmt.Figure()
 
 ###############################################################################
-# To add to a plot object (``fig`` in this example), the PyGMT module is used
-# as a method on the class. This example will use the
+# To add elements to the figure instance or object (``fig`` in this example)
+# different methods can be called on it. This example will use the
 # :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast` method, which can be used to create a map without
-# any other methods, modules or external data. The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast`
+# any other methods or external data. The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast`
 # method plots the coastlines, borders, and bodies of water using a database
 # that is included in GMT.
 #
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/configuration.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/configuration.py
index 077e41505a5..ec082c148f3 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/configuration.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/configuration.py
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
 # ----------------------------------
 #
 # Users can override default parameters either temporarily (locally) or
-# permanently (globally) using :meth:`pygmt.config`. The full list of default
+# permanently (globally) using :class:`pygmt.config`. The full list of default
 # parameters that can be changed can be found at :gmt-docs:`gmt.conf.html`.
 #
-# We demonstrate the usage of :meth:`pygmt.config` by configuring a map plot.
+# We demonstrate the usage of :class:`pygmt.config` by configuring a map plot.
 
 # Start with a basic figure with the default style
 fig = pygmt.Figure()
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/date_time_charts.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/date_time_charts.py
index 311f707fbfd..ab3011a1a94 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/date_time_charts.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/date_time_charts.py
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@
 #
 # Another way of creating charts involving datetime data can be done
 # by automatically generating the region of the plot. This can be done
-# by passing the dataframe to :meth:`pygmt.info`, which will find
+# by passing the dataframe to :func:`pygmt.info`, which will find
 # maximum and minimum values for each column and create a list
 # that could be passed as region. Additionally, the ``spacing`` argument
 # can be passed to increase the range past the maximum and minimum
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/earth_relief.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/earth_relief.py
index d504df1ce96..091707c8f75 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/earth_relief.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/earth_relief.py
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 =====================
 
 Plotting a map of Earth relief can use the data accessed by the
-:meth:`pygmt.datasets.load_earth_relief` method. The data can then be plotted
-using the :meth:`pygmt.Figure.grdimage` method.
+:func:`pygmt.datasets.load_earth_relief` function. The data can then be
+plotted using the :meth:`pygmt.Figure.grdimage` method.
 """
 # sphinx_gallery_thumbnail_number = 5
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
 # -------------------
 #
 # In addition to providing global data, the ``region`` parameter for
-# :meth:`pygmt.datasets.load_earth_relief` can be used to provide data for a
+# :func:`pygmt.datasets.load_earth_relief` can be used to provide data for a
 # specific area. The ``region`` parameter is required for resolutions at 5 arc
 # minutes or higher, and accepts a list (as in the example below) or a string.
 # The geographic ranges are passed as *xmin*/*xmax*/*ymin*/*ymax*.
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/grid_equalization.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/grid_equalization.py
index 62eab111d81..644d30c3720 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/grid_equalization.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/grid_equalization.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """
 Performing grid histogram equalization
 ======================================
-The :meth:`pygmt.grdhisteq.equalize_grid` function creates a grid using
+The :meth:`pygmt.grdhisteq.equalize_grid` method creates a grid using
 statistics based on a cumulative distribution function.
 """
 # sphinx_gallery_thumbnail_number = 3
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # Load sample data
 # ----------------
 # Load the sample Earth relief data for a region around Yosemite valley
-# and use :meth:`pygmt.grd2xyz` to create a :class:`pandas.Series` with the
+# and use :func:`pygmt.grd2xyz` to create a :class:`pandas.Series` with the
 # z-values.
 
 grid = pygmt.datasets.load_earth_relief(
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/insets.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/insets.py
index 974805d0250..42bbbb97f5f 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/insets.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/insets.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
     frame="a",
 )
 with fig.inset(position="jBL+w3c", box="+pblack+glightred"):
-    # pass is used to exit the with statement as no plotting functions are
+    # pass is used to exit the with statement as no plotting methods are
     # called
     pass
 fig.show()
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
 
 ###############################################################################
 #
-# Standard plotting functions can be called from within the ``inset`` context
+# Standard plotting methods can be called from within the ``inset`` context
 # manager. The example below uses :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast` to plot a zoomed
 # out map that selectively paints the state of Massachusetts to shows its
 # location relative to other states.
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@
     region=[-80, -65, 35, 50],
     projection="M3c",
 ):
-    # Use a plotting function to create a figure inside the inset.
+    # Use a plotting method to create a figure inside the inset.
     fig.coast(
         land="gray",
         borders=[1, 2],
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/subplots.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/subplots.py
index 571d66206e0..5ac823ed767 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/subplots.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/subplots.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 # Define subplot layout
 # ---------------------
 #
-# The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.subplot` function is used to set up the layout, size,
+# The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.subplot` method is used to set up the layout, size,
 # and other attributes of the figure. It divides the whole canvas into regular
 # grid areas with *n* rows and *m* columns. Each grid area can contain an
 # individual subplot. For example:
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@
 fig.show()
 
 ###############################################################################
-# The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.set_panel` function activates a specified subplot,
-# and all subsequent plotting functions will take place in that subplot panel.
+# The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.set_panel` method activates a specified subplot,
+# and all subsequent plotting methods will take place in that subplot panel.
 # This is similar to matplotlib's ``plt.sca`` method. In order to specify a
 # subplot, you will need to provide the identifier for that subplot via the
 # ``panel`` parameter. Pass in either the *index* number, or a tuple/list like
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@
 ###############################################################################
 # .. note::
 #
-#     All plotting functions (e.g. :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast`,
+#     All plotting methods (e.g. :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast`,
 #     :meth:`pygmt.Figure.text`, etc) are able to use ``panel`` parameter when
 #     in subplot mode. Once a panel is activated using ``panel`` or
 #     :meth:`pygmt.Figure.set_panel`, subsequent plotting commands that don't
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/advanced/vectors.py b/examples/tutorials/advanced/vectors.py
index 18b68df64c4..cd4669edf8a 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/advanced/vectors.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/advanced/vectors.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 # The angle is measured in degrees and moves counter-clockwise from the
 # horizontal.
 # The length of the vector uses centimeters by default but
-# could be changed using :meth:`pygmt.config`
+# could be changed using :class:`pygmt.config`
 # (Check the next examples for unit changes).
 #
 # Notice that the ``v`` in the ``style`` parameter stands for
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/basics/plot.py b/examples/tutorials/basics/plot.py
index 163397623ba..b8ec0f5b3d8 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/basics/plot.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/basics/plot.py
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
 # even use the new matplotlib colormap "viridis". Here, we first create a
 # continuous colormap ranging from the minimum depth to the maximum depth of
 # the earthquakes using :func:`pygmt.makecpt`, then set ``cmap=True`` in
-# :func:`pygmt.Figure.plot` to use the colormap. At the end of the plot, we
+# :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot` to use the colormap. At the end of the plot, we
 # also plot a colorbar showing the colormap used in the plot.
 #
 
diff --git a/examples/tutorials/basics/regions.py b/examples/tutorials/basics/regions.py
index 39899485d63..97da6ce9c6f 100644
--- a/examples/tutorials/basics/regions.py
+++ b/examples/tutorials/basics/regions.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Setting the region
 ==================
 
-Many of the plotting functions take the ``region`` parameter, which sets the
+Many of the plotting methods take the ``region`` parameter, which sets the
 area that will be shown in the figure. This tutorial covers the different types
 of inputs that it can accept.
 """
diff --git a/pygmt/figure.py b/pygmt/figure.py
index d61790cf167..805bd75d354 100644
--- a/pygmt/figure.py
+++ b/pygmt/figure.py
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ def psconvert(self, icc_gray=False, **kwargs):
         PDF, PNG, PPM, SVG, TIFF) using Ghostscript.
 
         If no input files are given, will convert the current active figure
-        (see :func:`pygmt.Figure`). In this case, an output name must be given
+        (see :class:`pygmt.Figure`). In this case, an output name must be given
         using parameter *prefix*.
 
         Full option list at :gmt-docs:`psconvert.html`
diff --git a/pygmt/src/grd2cpt.py b/pygmt/src/grd2cpt.py
index 16793fe4f05..3de38d34444 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/grd2cpt.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/grd2cpt.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def grd2cpt(grid, **kwargs):
     r"""
     Make GMT color palette tables from a grid file.
 
-    This is a method that will help you make static color palette tables
+    This is a function that will help you make static color palette tables
     (CPTs). By default, the CPT will simply be saved to the current session,
     but you can use ``output`` to save it to a file. The CPT is based on an
     existing dynamic master CPT of your choice, and the mapping from data value
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def grd2cpt(grid, **kwargs):
     ``overrule_bg`` or ``no_bg``.
 
     The color model (RGB, HSV or CMYK) of the palette created by
-    :meth:`pygmt.grd2cpt` will be the same as specified in the header of the
+    :func:`pygmt.grd2cpt` will be the same as specified in the header of the
     master CPT. When there is no :gmt-term:`COLOR_MODEL` entry in the master
     CPT, the :gmt-term:`COLOR_MODEL` specified in the
     :gmt-docs:`gmt.conf <gmt.conf>` file or the ``color_model`` option will be
diff --git a/pygmt/src/grdcut.py b/pygmt/src/grdcut.py
index dd8a581ee30..ce0927d14e5 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/grdcut.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/grdcut.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def grdcut(grid, **kwargs):
     Produce a new ``outgrid`` file which is a subregion of ``grid``. The
     subregion is specified with ``region``; the specified range must not exceed
     the range of ``grid`` (but see ``extend``). If in doubt, run
-    :meth:`pygmt.grdinfo` to check range. Alternatively, define the subregion
+    :func:`pygmt.grdinfo` to check range. Alternatively, define the subregion
     indirectly via a range check on the node values or via distances from a
     given point. Finally, you can give ``projection`` for oblique projections
     to determine the corresponding rectangular ``region`` that will give a grid
diff --git a/pygmt/src/grdhisteq.py b/pygmt/src/grdhisteq.py
index ebf9c9ed9b6..0e4d9cb0ef6 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/grdhisteq.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/grdhisteq.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class grdhisteq:  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     r"""
     Perform histogram equalization for a grid.
 
-    Two common use cases of :meth:`pygmt.grdhisteq` are to find data values
+    Two common use cases of :class:`pygmt.grdhisteq` are to find data values
     that divide a grid into patches of equal area
     (:meth:`pygmt.grdhisteq.compute_bins`) or to write a grid with
     statistics based on some kind of cumulative distribution function
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class grdhisteq:  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     provide a list of data values that divide the data range into divisions
     which have an equal area in the image [Default is 16 if ``divisions`` is
     not set]. The :class:`pandas.DataFrame` or ASCII file output can be used to
-    make a colormap with :meth:`pygmt.makecpt` and an image with
+    make a colormap with :func:`pygmt.makecpt` and an image with
     :meth:`pygmt.Figure.grdimage` that has all levels of gray occurring
     equally.
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def _grdhisteq(grid, output_type, **kwargs):
 
         See Also
         -------
-        :meth:`pygmt.grd2cpt`
+        :func:`pygmt.grd2cpt`
         """
 
         with Session() as lib:
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def equalize_grid(
 
         See Also
         -------
-        :meth:`pygmt.grd2cpt`
+        :func:`pygmt.grd2cpt`
 
         Note
         ----
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ def compute_bins(
         can provide a list of data values that divide the data range into
         divisions which have an equal area in the image [Default is 16 if
         ``divisions`` is not set]. The :class:`pandas.DataFrame` or ASCII file
-        output can be used to make a colormap with :meth:`pygmt.makecpt` and an
+        output can be used to make a colormap with :func:`pygmt.makecpt` and an
         image with :meth:`pygmt.Figure.grdimage` that has all levels of gray
         occurring equally.
 
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ def compute_bins(
 
         See Also
         -------
-        :meth:`pygmt.grd2cpt`
+        :func:`pygmt.grd2cpt`
 
         Note
         ----
diff --git a/pygmt/src/grdimage.py b/pygmt/src/grdimage.py
index 8447f133e36..045fbf34fe8 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/grdimage.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/grdimage.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def grdimage(self, grid, **kwargs):
     added by providing a file with intensities in the (-1,+1) range or
     instructions to derive intensities from the input data grid. Values outside
     this range will be clipped. Such intensity files can be created from the
-    grid using :meth:`pygmt.grdgradient` and, optionally, modified by
+    grid using :func:`pygmt.grdgradient` and, optionally, modified by
     ``grdmath`` or ``grdhisteq``. If GMT is built with GDAL support, ``grid``
     can be an image file (geo-referenced or not). In this case the image can
     optionally be illuminated with the file provided via the ``shading``
@@ -131,15 +131,16 @@ def grdimage(self, grid, **kwargs):
         Give the name of a grid file or a DataArray with intensities in the
         (-1,+1) range, or a constant intensity to apply everywhere (affects the
         ambient light). Alternatively, derive an intensity grid from the input
-        data grid via a call to :meth:`pygmt.grdgradient`; append
+        data grid via a call to :func:`pygmt.grdgradient`; append
         **+a**\ *azimuth*, **+n**\ *args*, and **+m**\ *ambient* to specify
-        azimuth, intensity, and ambient arguments for that method, or just give
-        **+d** to select the default arguments (``+a-45+nt1+m0``). If you want
-        a more specific intensity scenario then run :meth:`pygmt.grdgradient`
-        separately first. If we should derive intensities from another file
-        than grid, specify the file with suitable modifiers [Default is no
-        illumination]. Note: If the input data is an *image* then an
-        *intensfile* or constant *intensity* must be provided.
+        azimuth, intensity, and ambient arguments for that function, or just
+        give **+d** to select the default arguments (``+a-45+nt1+m0``). If you
+        want a more specific intensity scenario then run
+        :func:`pygmt.grdgradient` separately first. If we should derive
+        intensities from another file than grid, specify the file with
+        suitable modifiers [Default is no illumination]. Note: If the input
+        data is an *image* then an *intensfile* or constant *intensity* must
+        be provided.
     {J}
     monochrome : bool
         Force conversion to monochrome image using the (television) YIQ
diff --git a/pygmt/src/grdinfo.py b/pygmt/src/grdinfo.py
index 01cda7b74c0..120e4c2df7e 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/grdinfo.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/grdinfo.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def grdinfo(grid, **kwargs):
         the min and max. To force a symmetrical range about zero, using
         minus/plus the max absolute value of the two extremes, append **+s**\ .
         We report the result via the text string *zmin/zmax* or *zmin/zmax/dz*
-        (if *dz* was given) as expected by :meth:`pygmt.makecpt`.
+        (if *dz* was given) as expected by :func:`pygmt.makecpt`.
     {V}
     {f}
 
diff --git a/pygmt/src/grdview.py b/pygmt/src/grdview.py
index 43ad4a2af49..1198efc4aa9 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/grdview.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/grdview.py
@@ -108,10 +108,10 @@ def grdview(self, grid, **kwargs):
         Provide the name of a grid file with intensities in the (-1,+1)
         range, or a constant intensity to apply everywhere (affects the
         ambient light). Alternatively, derive an intensity grid from the
-        input data grid reliefgrid via a call to ``grdgradient``; append
-        **+a**\ *azimuth*, **+n**\ *args*, and **+m**\ *ambient* to specify
-        azimuth, intensity, and ambient arguments for that method, or just give
-        **+d** to select the default arguments
+        input data grid reliefgrid via a call to :func:`pygmt.grdgradient`;
+        append **+a**\ *azimuth*, **+n**\ *args*, and **+m**\ *ambient* to
+        specify azimuth, intensity, and ambient arguments for that function,
+        or just give **+d** to select the default arguments
         [Default is **+a**\ -45\ **+nt**\ 1\ **+m**\ 0].
     {V}
     {XY}
diff --git a/pygmt/src/inset.py b/pygmt/src/inset.py
index 29c9e4046e2..b005d5ee5a7 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/inset.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/inset.py
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ def inset(self, **kwargs):
     r"""
     Create an inset figure to be placed within a larger figure.
 
-    This function sets the position, frame, and margins for a smaller figure
-    inside of the larger figure. Plotting functions that are called within the
+    This method sets the position, frame, and margins for a smaller figure
+    inside of the larger figure. Plotting methods that are called within the
     context manager are added to the inset figure.
 
     Full option list at :gmt-docs:`inset.html`
diff --git a/pygmt/src/makecpt.py b/pygmt/src/makecpt.py
index bbb167dc185..201a896f6c8 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/makecpt.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/makecpt.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def makecpt(**kwargs):
     r"""
     Make GMT color palette tables.
 
-    This is a method that will help you make static color palette tables
+    This is a function that will help you make static color palette tables
     (CPTs). By default, the CPT will simply be saved to the current session,
     but you can use ``output`` to save it to a file. You define an equidistant
     set of contour intervals or pass your own z-table or list, and create a new
diff --git a/pygmt/src/subplot.py b/pygmt/src/subplot.py
index b7fd7f7a4c4..e39e4e8115f 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/subplot.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/subplot.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def subplot(self, nrows=1, ncols=1, **kwargs):
     r"""
     Create multi-panel subplot figures.
 
-    This function is used to split the current figure into a rectangular layout
+    This method is used to split the current figure into a rectangular layout
     of subplots that each may contain a single self-contained figure. Begin by
     defining the layout of the entire multi-panel illustration. Several
     parameters are available to specify the systematic layout, labeling,
diff --git a/pygmt/src/x2sys_cross.py b/pygmt/src/x2sys_cross.py
index 5950be733a1..cda853219a8 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/x2sys_cross.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/x2sys_cross.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def x2sys_cross(tracks=None, outfile=None, **kwargs):
     ("internal cross-overs") tracks (Cartesian or geographic), and report the
     time, position, distance along track, heading and speed along each track
     segment, and the crossover error (COE) and mean values for all observables.
-    By default, :meth:`pygmt.x2sys_cross` will look for both external and
+    By default, :func:`pygmt.x2sys_cross` will look for both external and
     internal COEs. As an option, you may choose to project all data using one
     of the map projections prior to calculating the COE.
 
diff --git a/pygmt/src/x2sys_init.py b/pygmt/src/x2sys_init.py
index cab1d4a9020..8c461f097ff 100644
--- a/pygmt/src/x2sys_init.py
+++ b/pygmt/src/x2sys_init.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def x2sys_init(tag, **kwargs):
     x2sys TAG. The TAG keeps track of settings such as file format, whether the
     data are geographic or not, and the binning resolution for track indices.
 
-    Before you can run :meth:`pygmt.x2sys_init` you must set the environmental
+    Before you can run :func:`pygmt.x2sys_init` you must set the environmental
     parameter X2SYS_HOME to a directory where you have write permission, which
     is where x2sys can keep track of your settings.