Say it like this
- Can you review my pull request?
- I have three pull requests waiting for approval.
- Let's merge this pull request once the tests pass.
Use it at work
Opening one
- I've opened a pull request for the login fix.
- Can you review my pull request?
Reviewing
- This pull request is too big. Can you split it?
- Approved. Nice pull request.
Process
- Every change needs a pull request.
- Link the ticket in the pull request.
Don't say this
A pull request is a request for review, not the action of pushing code. You create a pull request, not push one.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| pull request | Request to merge your changes | Developers | GitHub |
| merge request | Same thing in GitLab | Developers | GitLab |
| commit | One saved change | Developers | Inside a PR |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your teammate finished fixing a bug. What do you say?
2. Before we ship this feature, we need to _______ from the team.
3. Which sentence uses pull request incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English: 'I finished the code for the login feature. Someone from the team needs to look at it and then we can put it in the main branch.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Can you review my pull request?"
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More about pull request
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"I opened a pull request yesterday for the payment gateway integration. It needs one approval before we can merge it."
- in a code review
"This pull request looks good overall, but I have a question about the error handling in line 47."
- in a team meeting
"We should establish a rule that every pull request needs at least two approvals before shipping to production."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse with pushing code directly. A pull request is a formal request for code review before merging, not the act of pushing changes.
- ✕Can you pull request these changes?✓Can you review this pull request?
Pull request is a noun describing a code review proposal, not a verb meaning to request something verbally.
- ✕Let me send you a pull request via email.✓Let me open a pull request in our repository.
Pull requests exist in version control systems like GitHub, not in email. The correct context is the repository platform.
Other forms(3)
- pull request noun (singular)
"I submitted a pull request for the new feature."
- pull requests noun (plural)
"We have five pull requests waiting for review."
- PR noun (abbreviated)
"Can you approve this PR before end of day?"
Often used with(5)
- open/create a pull request · To initiate a pull request for code review
- review a pull request · To examine and provide feedback on code changes
- approve/merge a pull request · To accept and integrate the code changes
- reject/close a pull request · To decline or abandon the code review request
- pending pull requests · Pull requests awaiting review or approval
Similar words(2)
- merge request · GitLab terminology for the same concept; pull request is GitHub terminology
- code review · The broader process that a pull request initiates; not a direct synonym but closely related
Opposites(2)
- push to production directly
- merge without review
Questions(5)
- What does pull request mean in software engineering?
- A pull request is a formal mechanism in version control systems that allows developers to propose code changes for review. The developer creates the request on a separate branch, and team members review, discuss, and approve the changes before merging them into the main codebase. It ensures code quality and knowledge sharing.
- How do you use pull request in a sentence at work?
- You can say 'I opened a pull request for the authentication feature' or 'Can you review my pull request?' or 'We should not merge this pull request until tests pass.' In abbreviated form: 'Check out my PR when you have time.'
- Is pull request formal or informal?
- Pull request is neutral in formality. It is the standard professional term used in technical conversations, code reviews, and meetings. While you might say 'Hey, can you check my PR?' casually with teammates, the term itself is not specifically casual or formal.
- What is the difference between a pull request and pushing code?
- Pushing code is the technical action of uploading your changes to a repository branch. A pull request is a formal request to review and merge those changes into another branch. You push first, then create a pull request to propose the merge.
- Why are pull requests important in software development?
- Pull requests ensure code quality through peer review, prevent bugs from reaching production, document code changes, enable knowledge sharing among team members, and maintain a clear history of what was changed and why.
