Requesting Code Reviews: Phrases for PRs & Peer Review
5 exercises on key code review phrases. Choose the most natural and professional option.
0 / 14 completed
1 / 14
You've opened a PR and want to ask a colleague to review it without pressure. Which phrase works best?
Could you take a look at this PR when you get a chance? This phrase is both polite and realistic — it signals you're not demanding immediate attention. "Could you" is a professional softener. "When you get a chance" respects the reviewer's schedule. Option A ("as soon as possible") is fine if urgent, but often overused and can feel pressuring. Option B is too directive. Option D is grammatically correct but blunt — it reads more like an order than a request. In async team environments, respecting reviewers' time builds trust and gets faster responses.
2 / 14
In your PR description, you want to direct the reviewer's attention to a specific design decision. Which phrase is most precise?
I'd especially appreciate feedback on the approach to... This phrase is professional and targeted. "Especially appreciate" signals that this area matters most without dismissing the rest. "The approach to" frames it as a design question rather than a bug hunt, inviting substantive discussion. Option B is fine but lacks the collaborative framing. Option C ("I'm not sure") introduces uncertainty that may alarm reviewers unnecessarily. Option D ("might be wrong") is self-undermining and vague. In PR descriptions, directing attention to specific areas saves reviewers' time and produces more useful feedback.
3 / 14
You've written a detailed PR description with context on why and how you made the changes. Which phrase best introduces it?
I've added a description of the changes... This phrase is professional and informative — it tells reviewers what to expect from your description and signals that you've thought about the why, not just the what. Mentioning "context" and "reasoning" encourages reviewers to engage with your intent, leading to better discussion. Option A is too bare — it doesn't signal the value of the description. Option B is commanding and slightly rude. Option C is reactive ("if you have questions") rather than proactive. Good PR communication front-loads context so reviewers can review efficiently.
4 / 14
You've opened a PR but it's still in progress and not ready for review. How do you communicate this clearly?
The PR is draft — not ready for review yet. Using the word "draft" is the professional standard — most platforms (GitHub, GitLab) have a formal Draft PR status. Saying "The PR is draft" aligns with tooling vocabulary your teammates already know. "Not ready for review yet" gives clear context. Option A is abrupt and unfriendly. Option C ("don't merge it") focuses on the wrong risk. Option D is true but vague — it doesn't say what you want the reviewer to do (or not do). Always use "draft" to signal WIP status in modern dev teams.
5 / 14
What does "PTAL" mean in a code review message like "I've addressed your comments — PTAL"?
Please Take Another Look. PTAL is a standard abbreviation used in code review culture, particularly on teams at large tech companies, to signal that you've responded to a reviewer's comments and want them to re-review. It's more specific than "LGTM" (Looks Good To Me) or "please review" — it acknowledges a prior review cycle. Option A ("Please Take A Look") is the similar but different abbreviation "PTAL" used for an initial review. Option B and D are invented. Using PTAL correctly shows familiarity with code review workflow norms in English-speaking teams.
6 / 14
Sarah needs to ask David if he can take a look at her new feature implementation. She wants to be polite but also ensure it gets reviewed promptly. Which of the following messages is most appropriate for her to send in a Slack channel?
Option 3 is best because it politely requests a review without demanding immediate attention. The 'PTAL' reference subtly indicates the need for feedback and implies Sarah trusts David's expertise. Options 1 and 2 are too informal or direct, while option 4 lacks a clear call to action.
7 / 14
You've just added a significant performance optimization to the user authentication service. In your PR description, you want to highlight this change and its potential impact. Which phrase best sets the stage for this detailed explanation?
Option 2 clearly establishes the context and scope of the changes by stating that the PR contains 'several updates.' This is a more professional and informative introduction than simply saying 'I made some changes' (option 1), or vaguely describing the updates without specifying what they are (option 3). Option 4 is irrelevant.
8 / 14
You're working on a complex refactoring of a legacy module. You've created a PR with many changes and want to ensure the reviewer understands the rationale behind your approach. Which phrase is most effective for introducing this detailed explanation within the PR description?
Option 3 is ideal because it immediately provides context by explaining the 'reasoning and design choices.' It also highlights the benefits of the changes – performance improvements and improved maintainability – which helps the reviewer understand the value of the work. Options 1 and 2 are too brief, while option 4 focuses on the files themselves rather than the explanation.
9 / 14
You've created a PR with several minor changes to a UI component, but it's not yet ready for review. You need to let your colleague know this and manage expectations. Which phrase best communicates this status clearly?
Option 3 provides a clear and honest statement about the PR's status - that it's 'in progress' and not yet ready for review. Crucially, it sets an expectation of future updates, which helps manage expectations and prevents frustration. The other options are either vague or demanding.
10 / 14
Mark is about to submit a PR containing changes to the payment processing module. He wants to proactively ask Alex, who specializes in this area, if he'd be willing to review it. Which of the following messages would be most effective for Mark to send? Note: Mark doesn't want to sound demanding
Option 2 is best because it politely requests Alex's expertise and frames the review as optional. Options 1 and 4 are too vague and lack a clear call to action. Option 3 directly asks for availability, which can feel presumptuous. A good PR request balances asking for help with respecting the reviewer's time.
11 / 14
You've just posted a PR detailing a bug fix in the user profile service. You want to ensure the reviewer focuses on the impact of the change. Which phrase would be most appropriate to include in your PR description? Consider that the reviewer is busy and needs clear direction
Option 1 is the most direct and concise. It clearly states the purpose of the PR and immediately highlights its relevance to the user profile service. Options 2 and 3 are too verbose and don't specifically draw attention to the impact. Option 4 simply restates the action taken without explaining *why* it's important.
12 / 14
Lisa wants to initiate a code review for her PR. She's added a new feature to the reporting dashboard and wants to provide enough context for the reviewer. Which of the following phrases would be most suitable as an introduction to her PR description? Assume Lisa is communicating within a team that values thoroughness
Option 1 is efficient and gets straight to the point. However, option 1 is better than other options because it clearly states what she has done. Option 2 provides excellent context by explaining *what* the feature does and *who* benefits from it. Options 3 and 4 are too informal and lack necessary details for a code review.
13 / 14
David has submitted a PR with several small changes to the search functionality. He realizes it's not yet ready for review and wants to manage expectations without frustrating his teammate, Emily. Which phrase best communicates this status? Focus on clear communication of progress
Option 1 is demanding and doesn't provide clarity about the status. Option 2 clearly explains that further work is needed and sets a realistic expectation for when it will be ready. Options 3 and 4 are overly assertive and don't address the fact that the PR isn't yet review-ready.
14 / 14
During a Slack conversation about a code review, John replies to Sarah's message with 'PTAL'. What does this abbreviation mean in the context of a code review? This is an informal communication within a team
'PTAL' is an informal abbreviation for 'Please Take A Look'. It's a common shorthand used in developer communities to politely request someone review code. The other options are entirely fabricated and demonstrate a misunderstanding of typical Slack terminology.
What will I practise in "Requesting Code Reviews: Phrases for PRs & Peer Review"?
This module focuses on Phrasebook — real workplace phrasing you'll use on the job. It contains 14 scenario-based multiple-choice questions with instant feedback.
Is this exercise free to use?
Yes. Every exercise on CoderSlingo, including this one, is free to use with no account or sign-up required.
How many questions does this exercise have?
This module includes 14 questions. Each one gives an immediate right/wrong result plus a full explanation of the correct phrasing.
What happens if I answer a question incorrectly?
You'll see the correct answer highlighted straight away, along with a plain-English explanation of why it's right and why the other options don't fit — mistakes are part of the learning here.
Can I retry the exercise if I want a better score?
Yes — use the 'Try again' button on the results screen to reset your score and go through the questions again. There's no limit on attempts.
Who is this Phrasebook exercise for?
It's aimed at IT professionals with working English who want to sound more natural and precise around phrasebook — useful whether you're preparing for real conversations at work or just building confidence with the vocabulary.
Do I need an account to track my progress?
No account is needed. Your progress through the exercise is tracked locally in your browser for the current session, and you can replay the module at any time.
How is this different from reading a blog article?
This exercise is an interactive drill that tests and reinforces specific phrasing through multiple-choice questions with instant feedback, while blog articles explain concepts and vocabulary in prose. The two work well together.
Where can I find more Phrasebook exercises?
See the Phrasebook hub for more modules like this one, or browse the full Exercises page for other IT-English topics.
Can I complete this exercise on my phone?
Yes — every exercise on CoderSlingo is fully responsive and works on phones and tablets, so you can practise anywhere.