# How to Say Code Review in English: Tech Audio & Practice (2026)

> A systematic examination of source code by one or more team members before it is merged into the main codebase.

- **Term:** code review
- **Part of speech:** noun
- **Pronunciation:** /koʊd rɪˈvjuː/
- **English level (CEFR):** B2
- **Register:** Neutral, Both
- **Region:** US and UK
- **Topic:** [Code and Git terms](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/software-development-terms.md)
- **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/code-review
- **Last updated:** 2026-10-27

## Meaning

A systematic examination of source code by one or more team members before it is merged into the main codebase. Code reviews catch bugs, improve code quality, and ensure consistency with team standards.

Code review is a foundational practice in modern software development. When a developer completes a feature or fix, they submit their changes (usually via a pull request or merge request) for other team members to examine. Reviewers check for logical errors, security vulnerabilities, code style violations, and opportunities for optimization. This peer review process serves multiple purposes: it prevents defects from reaching production, spreads knowledge across the team, maintains consistent coding standards, and helps junior developers learn from experienced colleagues. In most tech companies, code reviews are mandatory before any code can be deployed.

## When you hear it

The senior engineer requested a code review before we merged the payment feature into production.

## Examples

- **in a standup meeting:** "I finished the authentication module yesterday and submitted it for code review this morning."
- **in a Slack message:** "Hey team, code review feedback shows we need to add better error handling here."
- **in a sprint planning meeting:** "We should budget extra time for thorough code reviews on the database migration."

## What native speakers say

- "Can you do a code review on this pull request?"
- "This code is ready for review."
- "We need to tighten up our code review process."

## Common mistakes

- ✗ "I will code review your changes." → ✓ "I will perform a code review of your changes. or I will review your code." (Code review is typically a noun. As a verb, use 'perform a code review' or simply 'review.')
- ✗ "The code review rejected my code." → ✓ "The reviewer rejected my code during code review. or My code failed code review." (Code review is a process, not an agent. Reviewers make decisions, not the review itself.)
- ✗ "We do code reviews every Monday." → ✓ "We perform code reviews on an ongoing basis. or We do code reviews as needed." (Code reviews typically happen continuously as PRs are submitted, not on a fixed schedule.)

## Be careful

Do not use as a verb without a proper object. Say 'perform a code review' or 'review the code' rather than just 'code review it.'

## Word forms

| Part of speech | Word | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| noun | code review | The code review took two hours and revealed three critical bugs. |
| noun phrase | code review process | Our code review process requires approval from at least two senior engineers. |
| verb phrase | perform/conduct/do a code review | Can you conduct a code review of my pull request before Friday? |


## Collocations

- **peer code review**: A code review conducted by colleagues at a similar level; emphasizes collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- **code review feedback**: Comments and suggestions given by reviewers during the code review process.
- **code review process**: The established workflow and standards your team follows when reviewing code.
- **code review tools**: Software platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket used to facilitate code reviews.
- **mandatory code review**: A requirement that all code must pass review before deployment.

## Synonyms

- **peer review**: Broader term used in many fields; code review is the tech-specific application.
- **code inspection**: Older, more formal term; less commonly used in modern agile environments.
- **pull request review**: More specific; refers to reviewing code submitted as a pull request on GitHub or similar platforms.

## Opposites

- auto-merge
- direct deployment

## Practice

This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/code-review

## FAQ

### What is the purpose of a code review in software development?

Code review serves multiple purposes: it catches bugs and security issues before deployment, ensures consistent code quality and style, spreads knowledge across the team, and provides learning opportunities for junior developers. It is a fundamental quality assurance practice in modern software engineering.

### How do you use 'code review' correctly in a work sentence?

Use it as a noun: 'Please submit your code for code review,' 'The code review took longer than expected,' or 'We perform code reviews on all pull requests.' Avoid using it as a verb directly; instead say 'perform a code review' or simply 'review the code.'

### Is code review a formal or informal practice?

Code review is a formal, mandatory practice in most tech companies, though the tone of feedback can vary from casual to diplomatic depending on company culture. It is essential in professional settings and is often discussed in interviews and job descriptions.

### What is the difference between 'code review' and 'pull request'?

A pull request (or merge request) is a request to merge code changes into the main branch. Code review is the process of examining those changes. Code review happens within or as a response to a pull request.

### How long does a typical code review take?

Duration varies widely depending on code complexity, team size, and review thoroughness. A simple bug fix might take 15 minutes, while a major feature could require several hours of review across multiple reviewers. Most companies aim to complete reviews within 24 hours to avoid blocking development.


## Related

- [pull request](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/pull-request.md)
- [linting](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/linting.md)
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