Cool MateAbide vs Submit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Abide
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)C2verb
Submit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: AbideMost common: Submit
| Abide | Submit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈbaɪd//🇺🇸 //əˈbaɪd// | 🇬🇧 /["/səbˈmɪt/","/səbˈmɪts/","/səbˈmɪtɪd/","/səbˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səbˈmɪt/","/səbˈmɪts/","/səbˈmɪtɪd/","/səbˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To accept or follow a rule or decision. | To give something for someone to look at or decide on. |
| Example | You must abide by the regulations in this agreement. | Please submit your application before the deadline. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | abide by the rules, abide by the decision, abide by the law | formally, respectfully, humbly, ask somebody to, invite somebody to, require somebody to, for, to, voluntarily, willingly, meekly, refuse to, agree to, be prepared to, to |
| Antonyms | disobey, ignore, reject | withdraw, cancel |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'abandon'., Using it incorrectly with nouns instead of actions., Mixing up past forms; 'abode' is archaic. | Confusing 'submit' with 'send' - 'Submit' often implies a formal process., Using 'submit' without a clear object., Overusing 'submit' instead of simpler verbs like 'give' or 'hand in' in informal scenarios. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in legal or formal contexts. Less frequent in everyday conversation. Often paired with 'by' when referring to rules. | Used in formal and neutral contexts, such as in applications or proposals. Avoid using ‘submit’ in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Abide vs Submit
What's the difference between Abide and Submit?
Abide: To accept or follow a rule or decision. Submit: To give something for someone to look at or decide on.
Which is more formal: Abide and Submit?
Abide is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Abide and Submit?
Submit is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Abide and Submit?
Abide is the highest level, at C2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Abide and Submit the same CEFR level?
Abide: C2, Submit: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Abide and Submit?
Abide: verb, Submit: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Abide: You must abide by the regulations in this agreement. Submit: Please submit your application before the deadline.
Can I use Abide and Submit interchangeably?
Not always. Abide and Submit are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.