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Code & Deliverynoun · /peər ˈproʊɡræmɪŋ/

pair programming

In simple English

Pair programming is a hands-on collaborative technique used to improve code quality, catch bugs early, and share knowledge within a team. One developer (the driver) writes the code while the other (the navigator) watches, suggests improvements, and thinks about the bigger picture. The roles often switch during a session. In modern tech companies, pair programming is used during complex feature development, critical bug fixes, or when onboarding new team members. It can be done in-person at the same desk or remotely using screen-sharing tools. While it requires two people and takes more time upfront, teams often find it reduces bugs, improves code design, and accelerates learning across the team.

Understanding what pair programming is, how it works, and why teams use it for software development.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness4/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓Let us pair programming on this feature.
✓Can you pair programming with me on the database migration?
✓We should do some pair programming to get this right.

Real examples

in a standup

"Sarah and I are pair programming on the authentication module today to make sure we implement OAuth correctly."

in a code review

"This code looks solid, but given the complexity, we should have done pair programming on it first."

in a team meeting

"We are dedicating tomorrow afternoon to pair programming the payment processor integration with the new team members."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Do not confuse with code review. Pair programming is real-time collaboration with two developers at one workstation; code review is asynchronous feedback after code is written.

✕We pair programming this bug yesterday.
✓We pair programmed this bug yesterday.— Pair programming as a verb requires past tense conjugation: pair programmed, not pair programming in this context.
✕I will pair programming with you on the frontend.
✓I will pair program with you on the frontend.— When used as a verb with will, use the base form pair program, not pair programming.
✕Pair programming is just two people looking at code.
✓Pair programming is active collaboration where two developers share one workstation with defined driver and navigator roles.— Pair programming is more structured than passive observation; both roles are actively engaged in problem-solving.

Other forms

noun

pair programming

"Pair programming is one of the best practices for reducing bugs in critical systems."

verb

pair program

"Let us pair program on this difficult algorithm to solve it faster."

verb (past tense)

pair programmed

"We pair programmed for three hours and fixed the memory leak."

Often used with

do pair programmingUsed to describe engaging in the practice: Do pair programming on critical features.
pair programming sessionA scheduled time block for pair programming: We have a two-hour pair programming session tomorrow.
pair programming partnerThe person you are pair programming with: My pair programming partner caught a security issue I missed.
driver and navigatorThe two roles in pair programming: In pair programming, the driver types while the navigator reviews.

Similar words

mob programmingSimilar concept but with more than two programmers; pair programming is specifically two people.
collaborative codingBroader term that includes pair programming but also covers other forms of real-time code collaboration.

Opposites

solo programmingindependent development

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. You want to invite a colleague to work together on complex code. Which is most natural?

Complete the sentence

2. We should _______ on the authentication logic before we deploy. (use: pair program or pair programming)

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses pair programming incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using pair programming: Two developers worked at the same computer to write the payment code together and check each other is work.

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "pair programming" in a standup this week?

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