# How to Use Pull Request Correctly: Tech English Mistakes (2026) > A formal request to merge code changes from one branch into another, typically requiring review and approval from team members before the changes are integrated into the main codebase. - **Term:** pull request - **Part of speech:** noun - **Pronunciation:** /pʊl rɪˈkwɛst/ - **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/pull-request - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A formal request to merge code changes from one branch into another, typically requiring review and approval from team members before the changes are integrated into the main codebase. 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. ## When you hear it Our team uses pull requests to ensure every code change is reviewed before merging to main. ## 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." ## What native speakers say - "Can you review my pull request?" - "I have three pull requests waiting for approval." - "Let's merge this pull request once the tests pass." ## Common mistakes - ✗ "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.) ## Be careful 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. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | 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? | ## Collocations - **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 ## Synonyms - **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 - push to production directly - merge without review ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/pull-request ## FAQ ### 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. ## Related - [code review](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/code-review.md) - [merge](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/merge.md) - [branch](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/branch.md) - [commit](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/commit.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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