Admit vs. Submit

Attribute	Admit	Submit
Definition	Confess to be true or to be the case	Present or hand over for consideration or judgment
Formality	Often used in legal or formal contexts	Can be used in various contexts, formal or informal
Voluntariness	May involve a voluntary acknowledgment	Usually involves a voluntary action
Authority	May involve accepting responsibility or guilt	May involve following instructions or guidelines

Definition

Admit and submit are two verbs that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Admit typically means to confess or acknowledge something, especially something that is true or that one is not proud of. Submit, on the other hand, means to yield to a higher authority or to present something for consideration or judgment. While both verbs involve some form of acknowledgment, the context in which they are used can vary significantly.

Usage

Admit is commonly used in situations where someone is owning up to a mistake or wrongdoing. For example, a student might admit to cheating on a test or a politician might admit to lying to the public. Submit, on the other hand, is often used in a more formal context, such as submitting a report to a supervisor or submitting an application for a job. In these cases, submission implies a sense of compliance or deference to authority.

Connotation

Admit tends to have a more negative connotation than submit. When someone admits to something, it is often seen as a sign of weakness or guilt. On the other hand, submitting something can be viewed as a responsible or dutiful action. For example, admitting to a crime might result in punishment, while submitting a proposal for a project could lead to approval and praise.

Responsibility

Admitting to something requires taking responsibility for one's actions. It involves acknowledging the consequences of one's behavior and accepting any repercussions that may follow. Submitting, on the other hand, is more about fulfilling a requirement or following a procedure. It may not always involve taking personal responsibility, as the act of submission is often a formality or a necessary step in a process.

Authority

Admitting is a personal act that involves acknowledging a truth or fact. It is often done voluntarily, without external pressure. Submitting, on the other hand, implies a relationship of authority and obedience. When someone submits something, they are typically doing so to comply with a rule or request from a higher power, such as a boss or a government agency.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between admit and submit:

• Admit: "I admit that I was wrong to accuse you of stealing."
• Submit: "Please submit your application by the deadline."
• Admit: "I admit that I have a problem with procrastination."
• Submit: "I will submit my report to the committee for review."
• Admit: "I admit that I was jealous of your success."
• Submit: "I will submit to the authority of the court."

Conclusion

In conclusion, while admit and submit are both verbs that involve acknowledging something, they have distinct meanings and connotations. Admitting is often associated with confessing to a mistake or wrongdoing, while submitting is more about yielding to authority or presenting something for consideration. Understanding the differences between these two verbs can help you use them more effectively in your writing and communication.