Provide vs. Submit — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 2, 2024
Provide involves offering or supplying something upon request or need, while submit implies presenting something formally for approval, consideration, or judgment.
Difference Between Provide and Submit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
To provide means to make something available or supply it, often fulfilling a need or requirement. It suggests a sense of readiness or generosity in offering what is needed. On the other hand, to submit is to present something formally for evaluation, approval, or consideration, usually implying a process or authority that will review what is submitted.
While providing is often associated with a more informal or generous act of giving without the expectation of formal evaluation, submitting typically occurs within a more formal or structured context. For example, one might provide information when asked in a conversation, whereas one would submit an application to an authority for a specific purpose.
The act of providing can be proactive or reactive, based on the anticipation of a need or in response to a direct request. In contrast, submitting is usually a reactive process, following specific guidelines or requirements set by an external party or system.
The term provide often implies a broader scope of actions, including giving, supplying, or making available, without necessarily involving a formal process. Submit, however, specifically refers to the act of presenting something for consideration or judgment, often within a predetermined framework or set of expectations.
In many contexts, to provide is to ensure that something is accessible or available, which can be an end in itself. Submitting, however, is typically a means to an end, where the submission is the beginning of a process leading to a decision, response, or outcome.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To make available or supply for use.
To present formally for evaluation or judgment.
Context
Informal or formal, often involving a direct response to a need.
Formal, involving a structured process or authority for review.
Implication
Generosity or readiness to fulfill a need or request.
Compliance with a process or authority, leading to evaluation.
Process
Can be proactive or reactive, without strict guidelines.
Reactive, following specific guidelines or protocols.
End Goal
Fulfilling a need or ensuring something is accessible.
Seeking approval, consideration, or a decision from an authority.
Compare with Definitions
Provide
To give support or assistance.
The fund provides aid to disaster-stricken areas.
Submit
To present for consideration, approval, or judgment.
Applicants must submit their proposals by the deadline.
Provide
To make something available for use.
The company provides health benefits to all its employees.
Submit
To propose or suggest something formally.
The committee will submit a recommendation to the board.
Provide
To offer information or evidence.
Witnesses provided crucial details to the investigation.
Submit
To give or hand in a document.
Students are required to submit their essays through the online portal.
Provide
To supply or equip with something needed.
The teacher provided the students with textbooks.
Submit
To yield or surrender to authority.
The suspect submitted to the police without resistance.
Provide
To ensure someone has something necessary.
Parents strive to provide the best for their children.
Submit
To undergo a particular process for evaluation.
The drug is being submitted for regulatory approval.
Provide
To make available (something needed or desired); furnish
Provide food and shelter for a family.
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.
Provide
To supply something needed or desired to
Provided her family with food.
Submit
To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.
Provide
To have as an available or desirable feature; afford
A room that provides ample sunlight through French windows.
Submit
To subject to a condition or process
Submit a tissue sample to testing.
Provide
To set down as a stipulation or requirement
An agreement that provides deadlines for completion of the work.
Submit
To present (something) to the consideration or judgment of another
We submitted our ideas to our supervisor.
Provide
(Archaic) To make ready ahead of time; prepare.
Submit
To offer as a proposition or contention
I submit that the terms are entirely unreasonable.
Provide
To take measures in preparation
Provided for the common defense of the states in time of war.
Submit
To accept or give in to the authority, power, or will of another.
Provide
To supply means of subsistence
She provides for her family by working in a hospital.
Submit
To allow oneself to be subjected to something
Submit to an interview.
Submit to drug testing.
Provide
To make a stipulation or requirement
The Constitution provides for a bicameral legislature.
Submit
(intransitive) To yield or give way to another.
They will not submit to the destruction of their rights.
Provide
To make a living; earn money for necessities.
It is difficult to provide for my family working on minimum wage.
Submit
(transitive) To yield (something) to another, as when defeated.
Provide
To act to prepare for something.
Provide against disaster.
Submit
(ambitransitive) To enter or put forward for approval, consideration, marking etc.
I submit these plans for your approval.
Provide
To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate.
The contract provides that the work be well done.
I'll lend you the money, provided that you pay it back by Monday.
Submit
(transitive) To subject; to put through a process.
Provide
To give what is needed or desired, especially basic needs.
Don't bother bringing equipment, as we will provide it.
We aim to provide the local community with more green spaces.
Submit
To win a fight against (an opponent) by submission.
Provide
To furnish (with), cause to be present.
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Provide
To make possible or attainable.
He provides us with an alternative option.
Submit
To put or place under.
Provide
To foresee, to consider in advance.
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Sometimes the hill submits itself a while.
Provide
To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See provisor.
Submit
To put or place under.
The bristled throatOf the submitted sacrifice with ruthless steel he cut.
Provide
To look out for in advance; to procure beforehand; to get, collect, or make ready for future use; to prepare.
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.
Provide
To supply; to afford; to contribute.
Bring me berries, or such cooling fruitAs the kind, hospitable woods provide.
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.
Provide
To furnish; to supply; - formerly followed by of, now by with.
Submit
To yield one's person to the power of another; to give up resistance; to surrender.
The revolted provinces presently submitted.
Provide
To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as, the contract provides that the work be well done.
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.
Provide
To foresee.
Submit
Refer for judgment or consideration;
She submitted a proposal to the agency
Provide
To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See Provisor.
Submit
Put before;
I submit to you that the accused is guilty
Provide
To procure supplies or means in advance; to take measures beforehand in view of an expected or a possible future need, especially a danger or an evil; - followed by against or for; as, to provide against the inclemency of the weather; to provide for the education of a child.
Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants.
Submit
Yield to the control of another
Provide
To stipulate previously; to condition; as, the agreement provides for an early completion of the work.
Submit
Hand over formally
Provide
Provide or furnish with;
We provided the room with an electrical heater
Submit
Refer to another person for decision or judgment;
She likes to relegate difficult questions to her colleagues
Provide
Provide what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance;
The hostess provided lunch for all the guests
Submit
Submit or yield to another's wish or opinion;
The government bowed to the military pressure
Provide
Determine (what is to happen in certain contingencies), especially by including a proviso condition or stipulation;
The will provides that each child should receive half of the money
The Constitution provides for the right to free speech
Submit
Accept or undergo, often unwillingly;
We took a pay cut
Provide
Mount or put up;
Put up a good fight
Offer resistance
Submit
Make an application as for a job or funding;
We put in a grant to the NSF
Provide
Make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain;
This leaves no room for improvement
The evidence allows only one conclusion
Allow for mistakes
Leave lots of time for the trip
This procedure provides for lots of leeway
Submit
Make over as a return;
They had to render the estate
Provide
Supply means of subsistence; earn a living;
He provides for his large family by working three jobs
Women nowadays not only take care of the household but also bring home the bacon
Submit
Accept as inevitable;
He resigned himself to his fate
Provide
Take measures in preparation for;
Provide for the proper care of the passengers on the cruise ship
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to provide something?
To provide means to make available or supply something, often fulfilling a need or requirement.
What does it mean to submit something?
To submit something means to present it formally for consideration, approval, or judgment.
Is providing always voluntary?
Providing can be either voluntary or obligatory, depending on the context.
Do you need to follow specific guidelines when submitting something?
Yes, submitting usually follows specific guidelines or procedures, especially in formal contexts.
Can submitting be done anonymously?
Yes, some submissions, like feedback or reports, can be made anonymously.
Can the terms provide and submit be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different contexts; provide is about offering or supplying, while submit involves a formal presentation for evaluation.
Can an individual provide suggestions?
Yes, an individual can provide suggestions informally or as part of fulfilling a request.
Does submitting imply relinquishing control over something?
In some contexts, yes, it means handing over something for another's review or decision.
What is a common scenario for submitting something?
Submitting documents for application processes, like job applications or college admissions, is common.
Can organizations also provide services?
Yes, organizations often provide services or resources to their clients or the public.
Is submit a term used only in professional contexts?
While commonly used in professional contexts, submit can also apply to any situation requiring formal presentation or approval.
What role does authority play in the act of submitting?
Authority usually reviews, approves, or evaluates the submission, playing a critical role in the process.
What's an example of providing in a casual context?
Providing advice to a friend in need is a casual, informal example.
Can you provide physical items only?
No, you can provide both tangible items and intangible services or information.
Is providing always direct and immediate?
Providing can be direct or through a medium and might not always be immediate.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited 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.
