5 exercises — choosing the correct verb-noun combinations in software development: deploy code, run tests, merge branches, raise an issue, push a commit.
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1 / 16
Which sentence uses the correct verb-noun collocation for deploying software?
Option C uses the natural collocation: deploy [code/a version/a service] to [environment]. This is the standard verb-noun pair in DevOps and software engineering. Option A uses "made a deployment" — while not grammatically wrong, it is a nominalisation that is less direct than the simple verb "deployed". Option B uses "did the code" — "do code" is not a valid collocation. Option D uses "put into" — this is informal and not the standard technical collocation. Core IT collocations: deploy code, deploy a release, roll back a deployment, trigger a build, run tests, merge a branch, raise an issue, push a commit.
2 / 16
A developer writes a PR comment. Which version uses the correct collocation for testing?
Option C uses the correct collocation: run tests. This is the dominant collocation in software development — you "run" tests, not "make" or "do" or "execute" them (though "execute" is technically correct, "run" is far more natural in everyday developer communication). Option A uses "make tests" — this is a common error influenced by romance languages. Option B uses "do some tests" — possible in informal speech but not the precise developer collocation. Option D uses "execute tests for confirming" — awkward; prefer "to confirm" (infinitive of purpose). Standard test collocations: run tests, write tests, pass a test, fail a test, fix a failing test, add test coverage.
3 / 16
Which sentence uses the correct collocation for working with Git branches?
Option B is the natural collocation: merge [branch] into [target branch]. The verb "merge" takes the source branch as a direct object and uses "into" for the target. Option A and C use noun-based alternatives ("make a merge", "do the merge") — these nominalisations are acceptable but less common; in developer communication, the verb form is preferred. Option D creates a causative construction that is unnatural. Git workflow collocations: merge a branch, branch off from, cherry-pick a commit, push to origin, pull changes, rebase onto, create a pull request, raise a PR, open a ticket.
4 / 16
A team uses Jira. Which sentence uses the correct collocation for creating a work item?
All four options are used in different contexts, but Option B ("raise an issue") is the most natural in professional British English technical settings — teams "raise" issues, bugs, and tickets. "Create" (Option C) is common in American English and with GitHub Issues. "Open" (Option D) is also natural, especially with GitHub. "Make" (Option A) is less standard for issue trackers. The preferred collocation depends on context: in formal professional settings, "raise an issue" is preferred; in GitHub workflows, "open an issue" is standard. Key collocations: raise an issue, open a ticket, log a bug, file a bug report, close a ticket, assign a ticket, triage issues.
5 / 16
Which sentence uses the correct verb-noun collocation for version control commits?
Option A uses two correct collocations: push a commit and to [branch name]. "Push" is the verb for sending local commits to a remote repository, and "commit" is the noun for a discrete set of changes. Option B inverts the relationship — "commit push" is not a standard compound. Option C uses "made to push" — this causative construction does not fit. Option D reverses the collocations: you "push a commit", not "commit a push". Core version control collocations: push a commit / push changes, pull changes, commit changes, revert a commit, squash commits, cherry-pick a commit, tag a release, clone a repository, fork a repo.
6 / 16
Sarah from the DevOps team needs to describe a recent issue. Which sentence uses the most appropriate verb-noun collocation to explain that the server's CPU usage spiked unexpectedly?
(Consider the context of reporting an incident)
'Elevated resource consumption' is a standard and precise collocation for describing unexpected increases in server performance. 'High' is too vague, while 'surged dramatically' leans towards hyperbole unsuitable for a formal report. Using 'increased significantly' isn't incorrect but lacks the technical nuance needed when detailing an incident.
7 / 16
Sarah from the DevOps team needs to describe a recent issue. Which sentence uses the most appropriate verb-noun collocation to explain that the server's CPU usage spiked unexpectedly?
(Consider the context of reporting an incident)
'Elevated resource consumption' is a standard and precise collocation for describing unexpected increases in server performance. 'High' is too vague, while 'surged dramatically' leans towards hyperbole unsuitable for a formal report. Using 'increased significantly' isn't incorrect but lacks the technical nuance needed when detailing an incident.
8 / 16
During a code review, your teammate writes: 'The API response is returning null values for the user ID. This could be due to an issue with the database connection.' Which of the following phrases best describes this situation in terms of verb-noun collocation?
The phrase 'API failure' accurately describes a situation where an API isn't providing the correct data. 'Data inconsistency' would imply a broader problem than just a null value for a single field. 'Database malfunction' is too general; it doesn't specifically relate to the API interaction. 'System instability' is also too broad, lacking the precise focus of an API issue.
9 / 16
You are writing a PR description for a fix you've implemented to resolve intermittent errors in your application. Which of the following options best uses a suitable verb-noun collocation?
'Error resolution' clearly describes the action taken to fix a problem. 'System degradation' refers to a decline in overall system health, not just a specific error. 'Code optimization' focuses on performance improvements, while 'the application is unstable' describes the symptom of the issue, not the solution.
10 / 16
During a standup meeting, your team lead asks you to describe the progress on a new feature. Which sentence uses the most appropriate verb-noun collocation?
'Feature development' accurately reflects the process of creating a new feature. 'Code implementation' is too technical for a standup; 'System integration' refers to combining existing systems. 'Product delivery' focuses on the final stage of releasing something.
11 / 16
A developer comments on a code review: 'The function doesn't handle edge cases properly.' Which verb-noun collocation is most suitable in this context?
'Error handling' directly addresses the issue of dealing with unexpected or invalid inputs. 'Input validation' is a part of error handling but less specific. 'Data processing' describes a general function, while 'code debugging' refers to the process of finding and fixing errors, not the nature of the error itself.
12 / 16
You're debugging a microservice that intermittently fails to process payments. The logs show the service is frequently returning a '502 Bad Gateway' error. Which verb-noun collocation best describes this situation when reporting it to your team lead during a standup meeting?
'Resolve effectively' accurately reflects the need to fix the underlying issue causing the '502 Bad Gateway' errors. The other options don't directly address the immediate problem of intermittent failures related to a gateway error. Misusing 'handle gracefully' implies a solution exists when it doesn't.
13 / 16
A junior developer writes this comment on a code review: 'The database query is returning inaccurate results due to a missing index.' Which verb-noun collocation best describes the *cause* of the problem as identified in this comment?
'Optimize performance' is the most precise term here. The missing index directly impacts query speed and accuracy. 'Address limitations' is too broad; 'expose vulnerabilities' is incorrect; and 'mitigate risks' doesn't capture the technical root cause.
14 / 16
During a code review, your senior engineer says: 'The API endpoint isn't validating user input properly.' Which of the following verb-noun collocations best captures this critique?
'Validate rigorously' is the most appropriate phrase for describing the need to ensure API endpoints properly check user input. The other options relate to different aspects of security or monitoring—validation is a core requirement here. The key is that 'validate' and 'rigorously' work well together in this context.
15 / 16
You are writing a PR description to explain why you've implemented error handling around potential null values in an API response. Which sentence uses the most suitable verb-noun collocation?
'Handle edge cases effectively' is the best choice because it accurately describes the purpose of error handling – to deal with unexpected or unusual inputs. 'Manage exceptions gracefully' suggests a more complex process than simply handling edge cases. The other options are not relevant to this specific scenario.
16 / 16
A developer is explaining a recent deployment issue to the team. They state: 'The server experienced a sudden spike in CPU utilization.' Which verb-noun collocation best describes this event?
'Observe unexpectedly' is the most accurate description of a sudden spike in CPU utilization. It highlights that the increase was not anticipated or planned. 'Monitor closely' and 'detect promptly' suggest proactive monitoring; 'escalate swiftly' implies a serious issue requiring immediate attention – neither are entirely appropriate here.
What will I practise in "IT Verb-Noun Collocations — Grammar Exercise"?
Practice common verb-noun collocations in IT English: deploy code, run tests, merge branches, raise an issue, push a commit. 5 interactive exercises.
How many exercises are in this module?
This module has 16 multiple-choice exercises, each with instant feedback and a full explanation of the correct answer.
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Every exercise is written by the CoderSlingo team, drawing on real workplace English used in IT roles, then reviewed for accuracy and clarity.