Submittal vs. Submission — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on February 23, 2024
Submittal refers to the act of presenting or delivering a document, proposal, or item for review. Submission, while similar, is broader, encompassing the act of giving in or yielding to authority or the process of presenting something for consideration.
Difference Between Submittal and Submission
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Submittal is a term often used in professional, technical, or construction industries, denoting the process of providing documents, plans, or materials for approval or review. It implies a formal procedure where specific items are prepared and presented according to established standards or requirements, typically to ensure compliance or secure authorization before proceeding with a project or task.
Submission, on the other hand, has a wider range of applications and connotations. In addition to the act of presenting something for review or consideration, it also encompasses the concept of yielding or surrendering to a higher power, authority, or force. In the context of documents, proposals, or applications, submission implies the act of giving something over to be considered, judged, or used, without the specific professional or technical connotations often associated with submittal.
Submittal is usually associated with tangible items like reports, plans, or designs in a professional setting, while submission can refer to intangible concepts as well, such as submitting to someone's will or the submission of one's ego. The choice between the two terms often depends on the context and the specific nature of what is being presented or the action being described.
The distinction is subtle yet significant, with submittal emphasizing the procedural aspect of presenting something for approval in a professional or technical domain, and submission encompassing a broader range of acts of presenting or yielding, applicable in both formal and informal, tangible and intangible contexts.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Act of presenting documents or items for review in a professional context.
Act of presenting something for consideration or yielding to authority.
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Context
Professional, technical, construction industries.
Broad, including legal, academic, professional, and personal contexts.
Connotation
Professional and procedural, focusing on compliance and approval.
Broader, including the idea of yielding or surrendering, as well as presenting.
Application
Often used for documents, plans, materials for approval.
Used for documents, proposals, ideas, and also intangible concepts like obedience.
Nature
Typically tangible, specific items or documents.
Can be both tangible items and intangible concepts.
Compare with Definitions
Submittal
The act of presenting documents for review, often in construction.
The contractor's submittal included detailed blueprints for the new building.
Submission
The act of giving something for consideration or judgment.
The writer's submission to the magazine was accepted for publication.
Submittal
Focused on compliance with standards or requirements.
The engineering submittal was critical for obtaining the necessary permits.
Submission
Can imply yielding to authority or another's will.
The submission to the court's decision was final and without appeal.
Submittal
Involves formal procedures for approval in professional settings.
The architect prepared the material submittal for the project's next phase.
Submission
Broader than submittal, encompassing tangible and intangible aspects.
Submission to the rules is expected from all team members.
Submittal
Often used in contexts requiring formal approval or review.
The submittal deadline for the design proposals was set for next Monday.
Submission
Not limited to professional or technical contexts.
His submission to the challenging situation showed great resilience.
Submittal
Specific to tangible documents, plans, or items.
The project's submittal process was outlined in the contract guidelines.
Submission
Used in various contexts, including legal, academic, and personal.
Her submission of the application marked a new chapter in her career.
Submittal
The action or an act of submitting something or to something.
Submission
The action of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person
They were forced into submission
Submittal
To accept or give in to the authority, power, or will of another.
Submission
The action of presenting a proposal, application, or other document for consideration or judgement
Reports should be prepared for submission at partners' meetings
Submittal
Something submitted or to be submitted; a submission.
Submission
The act of submitting something for consideration.
Submittal
(construction) Data about a product, such as shop drawings, material data, or samples.
Submission
The thing which has been submitted.
Submission
The act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
Common Curiosities
Does submission always imply yielding?
Not always in the context of documents or proposals, but it does carry the connotation of yielding or surrendering in other contexts.
Can I use submission instead of submittal in a construction project?
While understood, "submittal" is preferred in construction and technical contexts for clarity and specificity.
Can submission be used in formal documents?
Yes, submission is widely used in formal and legal documents, academic papers, and other professional communications.
Is submittal the same as submission?
They are similar, but submittal is more specific to professional contexts and often involves formal procedures for review.
Are submittals always physical documents?
Not necessarily; they can also be digital files or electronic submissions in modern contexts.
Does submission imply weakness?
In the context of yielding or surrendering, it can, but in the context of presenting documents or proposals, it does not.
Is there a digital submission or submittal?
Yes, both terms can be used in digital contexts for the process of submitting documents or items online.
Is submittal used outside of professional settings?
Rarely; it is most commonly used in professional, technical, or industrial contexts.
What is a submittal package?
It's a compilation of documents, drawings, and samples submitted for review and approval in a professional setting, like construction.
Can a person be a submittal?
No, "submittal" refers to items or documents presented for review, not individuals.
How important is the submission process in academia?
It's crucial for the review and publication of academic work, grant applications, and conference proposals.
What's a synonym for submission in the context of yielding?
Compliance, obedience, or capitulation can be synonyms depending on the context.
How do I prepare a submittal for a project?
It involves gathering all necessary documents, ensuring compliance with requirements, and often coordinating with various stakeholders.
How is submission viewed in legal contexts?
It's a formal process where documents or evidence are presented for consideration, crucial for the adjudication process.
Can submission be an act of strength?
Yes, in certain contexts, choosing to submit can be a strategic or dignified decision, showing strength or resilience.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
