Cool MateComply vs Submit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Comply
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1verb
Submit
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Submit
| Comply | Submit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəmˈplaɪ/","/kəmˈplaɪz/","/kəmˈplaɪd/","/kəmˈplaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəmˈplaɪ/","/kəmˈplaɪz/","/kəmˈplaɪd/","/kəmˈplaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səbˈmɪt/","/səbˈmɪts/","/səbˈmɪtɪd/","/səbˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səbˈmɪt/","/səbˈmɪts/","/səbˈmɪtɪd/","/səbˈmɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To follow rules or requests. | To give something for someone to look at or decide on. |
| Example | They refused to comply with the UN resolution. | Please submit your application before the deadline. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | fully, reluctantly, happily, fail to, refuse to, with | 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, flout | withdraw, cancel |
| Common mistakes | Using 'comply' without the preposition 'with'., Confusing 'comply' with 'compromise'., Misusing the tense, such as saying 'complyed'. | 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 | Used in formal contexts, such as legal settings or official instructions. Less common in casual conversations. Avoid using in situations where agreement is more appropriate. | Used in formal and neutral contexts, such as in applications or proposals. Avoid using ‘submit’ in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Comply vs Submit
What's the difference between Comply and Submit?
Comply: To follow rules or requests. Submit: To give something for someone to look at or decide on.
Which is more common: Comply and Submit?
Submit is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Comply and Submit?
Comply is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Comply and Submit the same CEFR level?
Comply: C1, Submit: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Comply and Submit?
Comply: verb, Submit: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Comply: They refused to comply with the UN resolution. Submit: Please submit your application before the deadline.
Can I use Comply and Submit interchangeably?
Not always. Comply 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.