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Code & Deliverynoun · /pʊl rɪˈkwɛst/

pull request

In simple English

A pull request (often abbreviated as PR) is a core workflow tool in version control systems like Git and GitHub. When developers write new code or fix bugs, they create a separate branch to work on their changes. Once ready, they open a pull request to propose merging their code into the main branch. This triggers a code review process where other team members examine the changes, provide feedback, suggest improvements, and either approve or request modifications before the code is merged. In real tech workplaces, pull requests are essential for maintaining code quality, knowledge sharing, and preventing bugs from reaching production. Teams set specific expectations about review turnaround time, required approvals, and testing before merge. The term is used constantly in standups, code reviews, and team meetings. Modern development cannot function effectively without a healthy pull request workflow.

Understand what a pull request is and how it works in the code review and deployment process.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓Can you review my pull request?
✓I have three pull requests waiting for approval.
✓Let us merge this pull request once the tests pass.

Real examples

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."

Don't say this

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.

✕I pushed my pull request to production.
✓I pushed my code to a branch and created a pull request.— A pull request is a request for review, not the action of pushing code. You create a pull request, not push one.
✕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

noun (singular)

pull request

"I submitted a pull request for the new feature."

noun (plural)

pull requests

"We have five pull requests waiting for review."

noun (abbreviated)

PR

"Can you approve this PR before end of day?"

Often used with

open/create a pull requestTo initiate a pull request for code review
review a pull requestTo examine and provide feedback on code changes
approve/merge a pull requestTo accept and integrate the code changes
reject/close a pull requestTo decline or abandon the code review request
pending pull requestsPull requests awaiting review or approval

Similar words

merge requestGitLab terminology for the same concept; pull request is GitHub terminology
code reviewThe broader process that a pull request initiates; not a direct synonym but closely related

Opposites

push to production directlymerge without review

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your teammate finished fixing a bug. What do you say?

Complete the sentence

2. Before we ship this feature, we need to _______ from the team.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses pull request incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

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.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "pull request" in a standup this week?

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