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Submission vs. Submittal: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Submission refers to the act of yielding or presenting something for consideration, while submittal specifically denotes the item or document submitted.
Submission vs. Submittal

Key Differences

Submission is the act or process of giving something for review, judgment, or consideration, often implying compliance or deference. Submittal, on the other hand, is the actual item or document that is being submitted.
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Nov 19, 2023
In submission, there's often an element of yielding or surrender, as in submitting to authority or submitting a proposal for approval. In contrast, submittal focuses more on the tangible aspect, like the report or plan being provided.
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Nov 19, 2023
The term submission can also imply a psychological or hierarchical aspect, such as in the submission to rules or power. Submittal, however, is a neutral term, simply referring to the act of handing something in.
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Nov 19, 2023
Submission might involve a process or procedure, such as submitting an application. Submittal is more about the content being handed over, like the application itself.
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In submission, there's often an aspect of awaiting a decision or judgment. Submittal is straightforward, focusing on the act of delivery without implications of awaiting a response.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

The act of presenting for consideration
The item or document presented
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Connotation

Often implies compliance or yielding
Neutral, focusing on the act of providing
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Focus

On the process or act
On the content or item
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Psychological Implication

Can imply deference or submission
Lacks hierarchical implication
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Use in Context

Used more in terms of actions or behavior
Used more in terms of tangible items
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Submission and Submittal Definitions

Submission

A proposal or application presented for evaluation.
Her submission for the grant was meticulously prepared.
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Submittal

A document, plan, or item handed in or presented.
The contractor's submittal included detailed blueprints.
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Submission

A document or piece of work submitted for consideration.
The artist's submission to the gallery was a beautiful painting.
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Submittal

Material or information provided for review.
The engineer's submittal was crucial for the project's next phase.
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Submission

The act of presenting something for judgment or consideration.
He felt nervous about the submission of his thesis to the committee.
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Submittal

The act of delivering something for a specific purpose.
The submittal of the application marked the end of a lengthy process.
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Submission

Yielding or surrendering to authority or control.
The rebels' submission to the ruling government was unexpected.
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Submittal

An item given for consideration or decision-making.
The committee reviewed each submittal carefully.
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Submission

The act or fact of submitting to the power of another
An army laying siege to a town to compel its submission.
A dog bowing its head in submission.
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Submittal

To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.
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Submission

The act of submitting something for consideration.
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Submittal

To subject to a condition or process
Submit a tissue sample to testing.
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Submission

Something so submitted
Read three fiction manuscripts and several other submissions.
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Submittal

To present (something) to the consideration or judgment of another
We submitted our ideas to our supervisor.
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Submission

The act of submitting or yielding; surrender.
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Submittal

To offer as a proposition or contention
I submit that the terms are entirely unreasonable.
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Submission

The act of submitting or giving e.g. a completed piece of work.
Any submissions received after Friday will have marks deducted for lateness.
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Submittal

To accept or give in to the authority, power, or will of another.
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Submission

The thing which has been submitted.
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Submittal

To allow oneself to be subjected to something
Submit to an interview.
Submit to drug testing.
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Submission

A submission hold in wrestling, mixed martial arts, or other combat sports.
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Submittal

(rare) The act of submitting; submission
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Submission

A subset or component of a mission.
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Submittal

Something submitted or to be submitted; a submission.
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Submission

The act of submitting; the act of yielding to power or authority; surrender of the person and power to the control or government of another; obedience; compliance.
Submission, dauphin! 't is a mere French word;We English warrious wot not what it means.
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Submittal

(construction) Data about a product, such as shop drawings, material data, or samples.
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Submission

The state of being submissive; acknowledgement of inferiority or dependence; humble or suppliant behavior; meekness; resignation.
In all submission and humilityYork doth present himself unto your highness.
No duty in religion is more justly required by God . . . than a perfect submission to his will in all things.
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Submittal

The act of providing something as required or necessary.
The timely submittal of her documents ensured her eligibility.
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Submission

Acknowledgement of a fault; confession of error.
Be not as extreme in submissionAs in offense.
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Submission

An agreement by which parties engage to submit any matter of controversy between them to the decision of arbitrators.
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Submission

Something (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition);
Several of his submissions were rejected by publishers
What was the date of submission of your proposal?
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Submission

The act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
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Submission

The condition of having submitted to control by someone or something else;
The union was brought into submission
His submission to the will of God
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Submission

The feeling of patient submissive humbleness
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Submission

A legal document summarizing an agreement between parties in a dispute to abide by the decision of an arbiter
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Submission

An agreement between parties in a dispute to abide by the decision of an arbiter
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Submission

(law) a contention presented by a lawyer to a judge or jury as part of the case he is arguing
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Submission

A state of being obedient or compliant.
The new rules demanded immediate submission from the employees.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is submittal limited to physical documents?

No, it can also refer to digital or electronic submissions.
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Can submittal refer to any type of document?

Yes, it can refer to any document or item submitted.
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Is submittal a neutral term?

Yes, it's neutral and focuses on the act of handing something in.
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Can submission have negative connotations?

Sometimes, particularly when it implies surrender or defeat.
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Is submission applicable in academic settings?

Yes, it's commonly used for submitting papers, theses, etc.
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Is submittal always formal?

It's often formal, especially in professional or business contexts.
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Can submission be used in a legal context?

Yes, it's often used in legal and formal settings.
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Does submission always involve authority?

Not always, but it often involves presenting to someone in a position to judge or decide.
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Can submission be a voluntary act?

Yes, it can be voluntary, especially in contexts like submitting a proposal.
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What is the primary meaning of submission?

It refers to the act of presenting something for consideration or judgment.
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Does submission imply obedience?

In some contexts, it can imply yielding or compliance.
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Can submittal be used interchangeably with submission?

Not always, as they have slightly different meanings and connotations.
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Does submission have a psychological aspect?

It can, especially in contexts of power dynamics or obedience.
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Is submittal a commonly used term?

It's common in certain fields like construction, engineering, and business.
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Are submittals always reviewed by others?

Typically, yes, especially in professional or academic settings.
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Can submission be an emotional process?

Yes, especially in personal or psychological contexts.
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Is submittal a key part of project management?

Yes, it's crucial in many stages of project planning and execution.
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Does submittal imply a response or decision?

It implies the act of delivery, not necessarily the response.
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Does submittal require following specific guidelines?

Often, especially in formal or professional contexts.
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Can submission be empowering?

In some contexts, like submitting one's own work, it can be.
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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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