The latest articles on DEV Community by MicroEnglish (@microenglish). https://dev.to/microenglish https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4132162%2Fb58aca49-95cb-4d7b-bb5a-ff4287747007.png https://dev.to/microenglish en MicroEnglish Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:01:38 +0000 https://dev.to/microenglish/how-to-use-go-hand-in-hand-in-code-reviews-2fbh https://dev.to/microenglish/how-to-use-go-hand-in-hand-in-code-reviews-2fbh <p>In a code review or pull request, you might read: "Testing and refactoring go hand in hand."</p> <p>This idiom means two practices are closely connected and often happen together. However, it does not mean they <em>always</em> happen together, and it does not prove that one causes the other. They are connected activities.</p> <h3> Grammar: "Go" vs. "Goes With" </h3> <p>Pay attention to your subject when using this phrase in team discussions:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Two concepts use <code>go</code>:</strong> "Testing and refactoring <strong>go</strong> hand in hand." Because the subject is plural (two actions), use <strong>go</strong>.</li> <li> <strong>One singular concept uses <code>goes</code> + <code>with</code>:</strong> "Testing <strong>goes</strong> hand in hand <strong>with</strong> refactoring." Because the subject is singular ("Testing"), use the singular verb <strong>goes</strong> followed by the preposition <strong>with</strong>.</li> </ul> <h3> Plainer Alternatives for Clearer Communication </h3> <p>Idioms can sometimes create confusion on international teams. If you want direct, plain workplace English for your pull request comments, use these alternatives:</p> <ul> <li>"Testing and refactoring work well together."</li> <li>"Testing and refactoring are often done together."</li> <li>"These two practices are closely linked."</li> </ul> <h3> Quick Check </h3> <p>Which sentence is grammatically correct?</p> <ol> <li><em>Continuous delivery go hand in hand with reliable test suites.</em></li> <li><em>Continuous delivery goes hand in hand with reliable test suites.</em></li> </ol> <p><strong>Answer:</strong> Sentence 2 is correct.<br> <strong>Reason:</strong> "Continuous delivery" is a singular noun phrase. It requires the singular verb <strong>goes</strong> and the preposition <strong>with</strong> before the second concept.</p> <p><em>Author: MicroEnglish</em></p> <p>If you want more practice with this expression:</p> <ul> <li>Watch the <a href="https://youtu.be/PmVTKJbWCQQ" rel="noopener noreferrer">full 8-minute video lesson</a>, featuring four British and American listening conversations, replays, pause time to answer, pronunciation guidance, and six practical FAQs.</li> <li>Try the <a href="https://microenglish.com/idioms/go-hand-in-hand/?utm_source=devto&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=go_hand_in_hand" rel="noopener noreferrer">interactive lesson at MicroEnglish</a>. The first dictation exercise is free; further practice and AI tutor features depend on membership and available credits.</li> </ul> codereview career