This application discloses a communication method and apparatus, and relates to the communication field, to resolve a problem of how to flexibly configure a DMRS pattern. The method includes: determining, by a terminal device, at least one parameter based on first MCS information after receiving the first MCS information, where the at least one parameter is used to indicate a first reference
signal pattern, so that the terminal device sends an uplink reference
signal based on the first reference
signal pattern; and determining, by a network device, the at least one parameter based on the first MCS information, where the at least one parameter is used to indicate the first reference signal pattern, so that the network device receives the uplink reference signal based on the first reference signal pattern.