Are you confused about the difference between submission and submitting? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them that can impact your writing. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of submission vs. submitting and help you determine which one is the proper word to use in various contexts.
Let’s define the terms. Submission is a noun that refers to the act of giving something to someone else for review or consideration. Submitting, on the other hand, is a verb that describes the act of giving something to someone else for review or consideration. While the two words are related, they have different grammatical functions and can’t always be used interchangeably.
So, which one should you use? It depends on the context. In general, submission is the proper word to use when you’re talking about a completed action or the end result of a process. For example, you might submit a proposal to a client or submit your taxes to the government. Submitting, on the other hand, is the proper word to use when you’re talking about the ongoing process of giving something to someone else. For example, you might be in the process of submitting a manuscript to a publisher or submitting job applications to various companies.
Understanding the difference between submission and submitting can help you write more clearly and effectively. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common contexts where these words are used and provide examples of how to use them correctly.
Define Submission
Submission is the act of presenting or offering something for consideration, judgment, or acceptance. In the context of writing, submission refers to the act of sending a piece of written work to a publisher, editor, or other relevant party for review and potential publication.
Submission can also refer to the act of yielding or surrendering to a superior force or authority. This can be seen in various contexts, such as in sports where a player may submit to their opponent or in a workplace where an employee may submit to their boss.
Define Submitting
Submitting is the present participle form of the verb submit. It refers to the ongoing or continuous act of presenting or offering something for consideration, judgment, or acceptance. In the context of writing, submitting refers to the ongoing process of sending written work to publishers, editors, or other relevant parties in the hopes of getting it published.
Submitting can also refer to the act of yielding or surrendering to a superior force or authority, as in the case of a boxer submitting to their opponent or an employee submitting to their boss.
It is important to note that while submission and submitting are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference in their meanings. Submission refers to the act of presenting or offering something, while submitting refers to the ongoing or continuous act of doing so.
| Submission | Submitting |
|---|---|
| The act of presenting or offering something | The ongoing or continuous act of presenting or offering something |
| Can refer to yielding or surrendering to a superior force or authority | Can also refer to yielding or surrendering to a superior force or authority |
| Often used in the context of writing and publishing | Also used in the context of sports, work, and other areas where one may yield to authority |
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using words correctly is essential to effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings. In the context of submission and submitting, it’s important to understand how to use each word properly in a sentence.
How To Use “Submission” In A Sentence
Submission is a noun that refers to the act of submitting something, such as a document or application, or the state of being submissive. Here are some examples of how to use “submission” in a sentence:
- She made her submission to the court in a timely manner.
- The submission of the report was delayed due to technical difficulties.
- He showed his submission to his boss by following all of her instructions without question.
It’s important to note that “submission” can also refer to a piece of creative work, such as a poem or story, that is submitted for consideration in a competition or publication. In this context, the word is often used in the plural form “submissions.”
How To Use “Submitting” In A Sentence
Submitting is the present participle form of the verb “submit,” which means to present or hand over something for consideration or judgment. Here are some examples of how to use “submitting” in a sentence:
- She is currently submitting her dissertation for review.
- They are considering submitting a proposal for the project.
- He has been submitting job applications for months without any luck.
It’s important to note that “submitting” can also be used as a gerund, which is a noun form of a verb that ends in “-ing.” In this context, it refers to the act of submitting something. For example:
- Submitting your work on time is crucial for success in this class.
- He received recognition for his submitting of a groundbreaking research paper.
Overall, understanding the proper usage of “submission” and “submitting” can help you communicate more effectively and avoid confusion in your writing.
More Examples Of Submission & Submitting Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between submission and submitting, it is important to see how they are used in context. Here are some examples of using submission and submitting in a sentence:
Examples Of Using Submission In A Sentence
- The submission of the report was delayed due to technical difficulties.
- She made the submission that the project was not feasible.
- His submission to the authority was met with skepticism.
- The submission deadline for the application is next week.
- The manuscript was rejected after submission to the publisher.
- She was praised for her submission to the art competition.
- The athlete’s submission to the coach’s training plan led to success.
- The company’s submission of the proposal was well-received by the client.
- The submission of the evidence was crucial to the trial’s outcome.
- He was disappointed by the submission of the inferior product.
Examples Of Using Submitting In A Sentence
- He is currently submitting his thesis for review.
- She has been submitting job applications for months without success.
- The team is submitting their proposal to the board for approval.
- Submitting to the demands of the kidnappers was the only option.
- The author is submitting the final draft of his book to the editor.
- She is nervous about submitting her artwork to the gallery for exhibition.
- The company is submitting a bid for the government contract.
- He is considering submitting a complaint to the customer service department.
- Submitting a claim for insurance coverage can be a complicated process.
- They are planning on submitting a patent application for their invention.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “submission” and “submitting,” many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these words have distinct meanings and should not be used in the same way. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake 1: Using “Submission” As A Verb
One of the most common mistakes people make is using “submission” as a verb. For example, saying “I will submission the report by Friday” is incorrect. “Submission” is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. The correct verb form is “submit.”
Mistake 2: Using “Submitting” As A Noun
Another mistake people make is using “submitting” as a noun. For example, saying “I will review the submitting of the report” is incorrect. “Submitting” is a verb and cannot be used as a noun. The correct noun form is “submission.”
Mistake 3: Using The Wrong Preposition
Using the wrong preposition is also a common mistake. For example, saying “I will submit to the report to my boss” is incorrect. The correct preposition is “of,” so it should be “I will submit the report to my boss.”
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid these mistakes, here are some tips:
- Always use “submit” as a verb and “submission” as a noun.
- Double-check that you are using the correct form of the word.
- Pay attention to prepositions and use them correctly.
By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your writing is clear and concise.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “submission” and “submitting,” context is key. Depending on the situation, one word may be more appropriate than the other. Let’s explore some examples of different contexts and how the choice between submission and submitting might change.
Academic Writing
In academic writing, the word “submission” is often used to refer to the act of turning in a paper or assignment. For example, a student might say, “I have a submission due next week.” In this context, “submitting” would not be an appropriate alternative. However, if the student were discussing the process of actually submitting the assignment, they might say, “I am submitting my paper online.” In this case, “submission” could also be used, but “submitting” is a more active and specific verb choice.
Business And Professional Settings
In a business or professional setting, the choice between “submission” and “submitting” can depend on the formality of the situation. For example, in a formal email or letter, it might be more appropriate to use “submission” to refer to a proposal or request. However, in a casual conversation or internal memo, “submitting” could be used instead. Additionally, “submitting” might be a better choice when discussing the process of submitting a proposal or application, while “submission” could be used to refer to the final product that was submitted.
Online Forms And Applications
When filling out online forms or applications, the word “submit” is often used as a button or command to indicate that the user is ready to send their information. In this context, “submission” would not be an appropriate alternative. However, if the user were discussing the process of submitting the form or application, they might say, “I completed the submission process online.” In this case, “submission” could also be used, but “submitting” is a more active and specific verb choice.
Summary
Overall, the choice between “submission” and “submitting” can depend on the context in which they are used. While “submission” is often used to refer to the final product that is turned in, “submitting” is a more active and specific verb choice that can be used to describe the process of submitting something. In formal settings, “submission” may be more appropriate, while “submitting” may be better suited for casual conversations or internal memos. As with any word choice, it’s important to consider the context and audience when deciding between these two options.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the general rule is to use “submission” as a noun and “submitting” as a verb, there are some exceptions to this rule. Here are a few cases where the rules might not apply:
1. Legal Terminology
In legal terminology, “submission” is often used as a verb to mean “to present for consideration or judgment.” For example, a lawyer might say, “I will submit this evidence to the court.” In this context, “submitting” would not be appropriate.
2. Technical Writing
In technical writing, “submission” might be used as a verb to refer to the process of sending a document or file to a particular destination. For example, a software manual might say, “To submit your document, click the ‘Submit’ button.” In this case, “submitting” could also be used, but “submission” would be more appropriate in a technical context.
3. Idiomatic Expressions
There are some idiomatic expressions where “submission” or “submitting” might be used in a non-literal way. For example:
- “He submitted to her authority” – In this case, “submitted” means “yielded” or “deferred.”
- “She made a submission to the committee” – In this case, “submission” means “a proposal or suggestion.”
- “He was submitting to his cravings” – In this case, “submitting” means “giving in” or “surrendering.”
These idiomatic expressions might not follow the general rule of using “submission” as a noun and “submitting” as a verb, but they are still considered correct usage in their respective contexts.
Practice Exercises
Improving one’s understanding and usage of submission and submitting requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you develop your skills:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either submission or submitting:
- The deadline for ___________ the application is next week.
- She made a strong ___________ for the proposal.
- His ___________ of the report was well-received by the team.
- Please confirm receipt of your ___________ by email.
Answer Key:
- submitting
- submission
- submission
- submission
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
- ___________ of the report is due tomorrow.
- a) Submission
- b) Submitting
- a) Submission
- b) Submitting
- a) Submission
- b) Submitting
Answer Key:
- a) Submission
- b) Submitting
- a) Submission
Exercise 3: Sentence Completion
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate form of submission or submitting:
- ___________ the application on time is crucial.
- She is ___________ her work to a prestigious journal.
- The ___________ of the report was met with enthusiasm.
- Please confirm ___________ of your work by email.
Answer Key:
- Submitting
- submitting
- submission
- submission
By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of submission and submitting in your writing.
Conclusion
After examining the differences between submission and submitting, it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. Submission refers to the act of presenting something for consideration or judgment, while submitting refers to the act of formally giving something to someone for review or approval.
It is important to understand the nuances of language use, particularly in professional settings. Using the wrong word can make a writer appear careless or uneducated. By taking the time to learn the differences between similar words, writers can improve their communication skills and avoid misunderstandings.
To continue improving your grammar and language use, consider investing in resources such as style guides or grammar books. Additionally, practicing writing and seeking feedback from others can help you refine your skills and become a more effective communicator.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.