Commit vs. Submit — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
Commit implies a pledge or engagement to a cause, while submit suggests yielding or presenting something for consideration.
Difference Between Commit and Submit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Committing often denotes a promise or determination to do something, indicating a deep level of engagement or obligation towards an action, cause, or idea. For instance, committing to a project implies dedicating time and resources to its completion. On the other hand, submitting involves handing over something for evaluation, approval, or consideration, such as submitting a report or application, implying a transfer of control or judgment to another party.
While commitment embodies an active decision and ongoing process, characterized by personal or organizational dedication, submitting is generally a singular act or the final step in a process, such as delivering work for assessment. This distinction highlights the proactive, enduring nature of commitment versus the conclusive action of submission.
Commitment is often internal and self-driven, motivated by personal values, goals, or responsibilities. It reflects a depth of involvement and a willingness to persist through challenges. Conversely, submission, especially in the context of documents or requests, is an external action directed towards an authority or entity, requiring compliance or adherence to specific guidelines or expectations.
In a professional or personal context, commitment signifies a long-term engagement or dedication to a cause, project, or relationship, suggesting a readiness to invest effort and resources over time. Submit, however, typically involves a more immediate, one-time action, such as submitting a job application or a proposal, where the outcome is contingent upon the receiver's evaluation.
Despite their differences, both committing and submitting are crucial in various aspects of life and work. Commitment drives progress and achievement through dedication and perseverance, while submission is essential for receiving feedback, approval, or permission, marking the transition from preparation to evaluation or implementation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To pledge or engage oneself in a cause or action.
To present or yield something for consideration or judgment.
Nature
Ongoing, active engagement.
Singular, conclusive act.
Motivation
Internal, driven by personal values or goals.
External, directed towards an authority or for approval.
Context
Personal and professional dedication or engagement.
Submission of documents, requests, or compliance.
Outcome
Progress and achievement through dedication.
Evaluation, approval, or feedback based on the submission.
Compare with Definitions
Commit
Pledging or dedicating oneself to a cause or activity.
She committed to running a marathon, training daily.
Submit
Yielding to a higher authority or to the judgment of another.
After much debate, he submitted to the decision of the board.
Commit
Making a firm decision to do something.
They committed to improving their communication skills.
Submit
Agreeing to comply with rules, standards, or requirements.
They submitted their proposal, adhering to all guidelines.
Commit
Demonstrating loyalty or dedication to a relationship or agreement.
They committed to their partnership, overcoming challenges together.
Submit
Surrendering or giving in, often used in the context of power dynamics.
The company submitted to the regulations imposed by the government.
Commit
Engaging deeply with a project, person, or goal.
He committed his resources to the new business venture.
Submit
Handing in something for evaluation or consideration.
She submitted her thesis to the committee for review.
Commit
Taking responsibility or promising to undertake an obligation.
The team committed to delivering the project on time.
Submit
Providing information or documents as required.
Applicants must submit their forms by the deadline.
Commit
To do, perform, or perpetrate
Commit a murder.
Submit
Submit is an EP by the British band Pitchshifter, released on 23 March 1992 by Earache on LP, MC and CD.French black metal band Blut aus Nord covered "Bastardiser" for their EP Debemur Morti.
Commit
To put in trust or charge; entrust
Commit oneself to the care of a doctor.
Commit responsibilities to an assistant.
Submit
To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.
Commit
To consign for future use or for preservation
We must commit the necessary funds for the project.
Submit
To subject to a condition or process
Submit a tissue sample to testing.
Commit
To place officially in confinement or custody, as in a mental health facility.
Submit
To present (something) to the consideration or judgment of another
We submitted our ideas to our supervisor.
Commit
To put into a place to be disposed of or kept safe
Committed the manuscript to the flames.
Submit
To offer as a proposition or contention
I submit that the terms are entirely unreasonable.
Commit
To make known the views of (oneself) on an issue
I never commit myself on such issues.
Submit
To accept or give in to the authority, power, or will of another.
Commit
To bind, obligate, or devote, as by a pledge
They were committed to follow orders. She committed herself to her art.
Submit
To allow oneself to be subjected to something
Submit to an interview.
Submit to drug testing.
Commit
To refer (a legislative bill, for example) to a committee.
Submit
(intransitive) To yield or give way to another.
They will not submit to the destruction of their rights.
Commit
To pledge, obligate, or devote one's own self
Felt that he was too young to commit fully to marriage.
Submit
(transitive) To yield (something) to another, as when defeated.
Commit
(transitive) To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; used with to or formerly unto.
Submit
(ambitransitive) To enter or put forward for approval, consideration, marking etc.
I submit these plans for your approval.
Commit
(transitive) To imprison: to forcibly place in a jail.
Submit
(transitive) To subject; to put through a process.
Commit
(transitive) To forcibly evaluate and treat in a medical facility, particularly for presumed mental illness.
Tony should be committed to a nuthouse!
Submit
To win a fight against (an opponent) by submission.
Commit
(transitive) To do (something bad); to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
To commit murder
To commit a series of heinous crimes
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Commit
(ambitransitive) To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step. Traditionally used only reflexively but now also without oneself etc.
To commit oneself to a certain action
To commit to a relationship
Submit
To put or place under.
Commit
To make a set of changes permanent.
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Sometimes the hill submits itself a while.
Commit
To integrate new revisions into the public or master version of a file in a version control system.
Submit
To put or place under.
The bristled throatOf the submitted sacrifice with ruthless steel he cut.
Commit
To enter into a contest; to match; often followed by with.
Submit
To yield, resign, or surrender to power, will, or authority; - often with the reflexive pronoun.
Ye ben submitted through your free assent.
The angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands.
Commit
To confound.
Submit
To leave or commit to the discretion or judgment of another or others; to refer; as, to submit a controversy to arbitrators; to submit a question to the court; - often followed by a dependent proposition as the object.
Whether the condition of the clergy be able to bear a heavy burden, is submitted to the house.
We submit that a wooden spoon of our day would not be justified in calling Galileo and Napier blockheads because they never heard of the differential calculus.
Commit
To commit an offence; especially, to fornicate.
Submit
To yield one's person to the power of another; to give up resistance; to surrender.
The revolted provinces presently submitted.
Commit
To be committed or perpetrated; to take place; to occur.
Submit
To yield one's opinion to the opinion of authority of another; to be subject; to acquiesce.
To thy husband's willThine shall submit.
Commit
The act of committing (e.g. a database transaction), making it a permanent change; such a change.
Submit
Refer for judgment or consideration;
She submitted a proposal to the agency
Commit
(programming) The submission of source code or other material to a source control repository.
Submit
Put before;
I submit to you that the accused is guilty
Commit
To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to intrust; to consign; - used with to, unto.
Commit thy way unto the Lord.
Bid him farewell, commit him to the grave.
Submit
Yield to the control of another
Commit
To put in charge of a jailor; to imprison.
These two were committed.
Submit
Hand over formally
Commit
To do; to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Submit
Refer to another person for decision or judgment;
She likes to relegate difficult questions to her colleagues
Commit
To join for a contest; to match; - followed by with.
Submit
Submit or yield to another's wish or opinion;
The government bowed to the military pressure
Commit
To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step; - often used reflexively; as, to commit one's self to a certain course.
You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship, without commiting the honor of your sovereign.
Any sudden assent to the proposal . . . might possibly be considered as committing the faith of the United States.
Submit
Accept or undergo, often unwillingly;
We took a pay cut
Commit
To confound.
Committing short and long [quantities].
Submit
Make an application as for a job or funding;
We put in a grant to the NSF
Commit
To sin; esp., to be incontinent.
Commit not with man's sworn spouse.
Submit
Make over as a return;
They had to render the estate
Commit
Perform an act, usually with a negative connotation;
Perpetrate a crime
Pull a bank robbery
Submit
Accept as inevitable;
He resigned himself to his fate
Commit
Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church
Commit
Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
He was committed to prison
Commit
Confer a trust upon;
The messenger was entrusted with the general's secret
I commit my soul to God
Commit
Make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to commit?
To commit means to dedicate oneself to a cause or task, indicating a deep level of engagement and responsibility.
What does submit mean?
To submit means to present something for evaluation or to yield to another's authority or judgment.
How does commitment impact personal goals?
Commitment drives individuals towards achieving personal goals by fostering perseverance and dedication.
Why is submission important in professional settings?
Submission is crucial for compliance, review, and approval processes, facilitating formal evaluation and feedback.
Is commitment a choice?
Yes, commitment is a voluntary decision reflecting personal or organizational dedication to a cause or action.
Can a project involve both commitment and submission?
Yes, a project may involve commitment from its participants and submission of its outcomes for approval or feedback.
Can one commit and submit simultaneously?
Yes, one can commit to a process (like a project) and submit parts of it (like reports) simultaneously, reflecting both ongoing dedication and specific acts of compliance or presentation.
Is submission always voluntary?
Submission can be voluntary, as in agreeing to rules, or involuntary, as in yielding to superior force or authority.
How do commitment and submission differ in relationships?
In relationships, commitment refers to dedication and loyalty, while submission might involve compromise or acquiescing to the partner's decisions.
How does one show commitment?
Commitment can be shown through consistent action, dedication to promises, and perseverance through challenges.
What does it mean to submit to authority?
To submit to authority means to accept and follow the decisions, rules, or commands of those in positions of power.
How should one prepare to submit a proposal or application?
Preparing to submit involves ensuring compliance with guidelines, thorough proofreading, and tailoring the content to meet the objectives or criteria of the receiving party.
What are the consequences of failing to submit required documents?
Failure to submit required documents can result in rejection, non-compliance penalties, or missed opportunities.
Can commitment be temporary?
While commitment typically implies a long-term engagement, it can be bounded by the terms of a specific goal or project.
What role does commitment play in achieving success?
Commitment is crucial for success, providing the motivation and resilience needed to overcome obstacles and reach goals.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
