Clarifying the Correct Use of 'Have Submitted' in English

The English language offers a rich tapestry of tenses to describe actions in various time frames. One such distinction that often confounds English learners and speakers alike is the correct use of the present perfect tense rather than the past perfect tense when discussing actions that have taken place. Let us explore why I have submitted is the correct phrase, while I have submit is incorrect, and the nuances of using have to submit.

The Correct Use of Have Submitted

In English grammar, the present perfect tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and has a connection to the present. It indicates that the action occurred at an unspecified time before now. This tense is constructed using the auxiliary verb have followed by the past participle form of the main verb. For the verb submit, the past participle is submitted. Therefore, the correct phrase would be:

I have submitted

This usage is correct because have submitted implies that an action of submission has happened and its effects are still relevant in the present. Conversely, I have submit is grammatically incorrect as submit does not have a present participle form that pairs with have.

Using Have to Submit

If you desire to use the auxiliary verb have in a future context, you need to use a different structure. The correct phrase becomes:

I have to submit

The phrase have to is a modal structure used to express a necessity or obligation. Hence, it’s appropriate to say:

I have to submit the report by the deadline.

Note that have to submit implies a future obligation that is related to the present situation.

Subject-Angle Differences

The use of have submitted can vary depending on the subject of the sentence. When the subject is plural or involves multiple items, you would use:

The resumes have been submitted.

The resume has been submitted.

In these examples, have been submitted indicates that multiple resumes or a single resume has been sent in. Notice the plural form of the subject (resumes) versus the singular form (resume). This distinction is one of the few words in the English language that differentiate between singular and plural based on grammatical context.

English Grammar Nuances

English grammar has a myriad of rules and exceptions. Consider the word submit, which is an irregular verb in the past tense. Verbs such as submit, hit, sit, and quit do not follow the typical irregular past tense form because the to before the verb does not change the tense but rather expresses a future obligation.

As for the past tense of submit, submitted is indeed correct. The past perfect tense, on the other hand, is constructed with the auxiliary verb had followed by the past participle:

She had submitted the proposal before the meeting.

Thus, the past perfect tense is used to describe actions that occurred before another past action. In contrast, the present perfect is used to describe actions with a current relevance.

In modern spoken and written English, the distinction between the present tense has and have is often blurred, with have being used more frequently despite grammatical correctness. However, in formal writing and academic contexts, it is crucial to maintain these grammatical nuances.

Conclusion

Understanding the correct usage of have submitted, have to submit, and the distinct forms of verbs in different tenses is key to effective communication in English. Proper use can add clarity and precision to your writing, avoiding the pitfalls of common grammatical errors.