“Immersed” Is Neutral or Positive, While “Submerged” Leans Negative

Hi, you have A Way with Words.

Hello, this is Lynn calling from MidMichigan.

I do have a question for you.

Awesome.

It’s about the difference between immerse and submerge.

I work with study abroad programs, and students go overseas.

They go to other countries, and they take classes.

And then they use those courses towards their degree at home.

And right now we’re in the middle of scholarship essay review time.

And one thing we see from time to time in these essays

is students say that they want to study abroad in order to be submerged in the culture.

And I always get this image in my mind of the students sort of flailing their arms

and gasping for breath and saying, help, I’m submerged in the culture.

Of course, I think what they’re trying to say is that they want to be immersed in the culture.

Right.

So I looked up both words just to see if I was right.

And both words do have this connotation of being in water or liquid, I guess.

But immerse does also, I read that it has this definition of being embedded or being deeply involved in something.

So I thought, you know, I think this is correct.

I think immerse is correct.

But I thought I would check in with the word experts and get your take on it.

Yeah.

Well, absolutely.

And actually, you’re an immersion expert, right?

Because you’re…

What I do for a living.

Right, right.

And I mean, I did an immersion program in Costa Rica a few years ago.

And, you know, I wouldn’t have wanted to do a submersion program.

Unless you’re getting your scuba permit.

Exactly.

That’s right.

Some of my students who go to the Virgin Islands do submerge themselves.

I’ll bet.

But, I mean, can the words be used interchangeably or, you know, am I wrong here?

You know, I think you’re on the right track.

I think immerse is the better word here.

Definitely.

Here’s why.

And, of course, I’m looking at data for this.

Okay.

Submerge, although it can kind of be used that way, kind of metaphorically,

not to mean literally underwater, but to mean overwhelmed or overtaken by something,

it’s more negative.

It usually describes things like, I’m submerged by work.

Right.

Or I am submerged by responsibilities or submerged in my problems.

Okay.

And so you really want to use immersed because immersed is either neutral

or tends to be more positive.

More positive.

So immersed is, at least on that count, is the better word here.

Yeah.

Okay.

And Lynn, I think this is a wonderful example of two words that are so close,

but there is this nuance that those students probably aren’t going to get just from looking at dictionaries.

You know, it’s one of those things that they have to have either explained by a native speaker or…

Pick up from reading a lot of good writing.

Reading a lot of good writing.

I mean, that’s a perfect example.

I’m always looking for examples like that.

So I appreciate your bringing that to our attention.

And when I’m advising my students on their writing, I’ll make sure to point that out to them.

Very good.

You’re on the right track, Lynn.

Okay.

Well, great.

Well, I love your show, and thanks for having me on.

Oh, thank you.

Our pleasure.

Very interesting question.

Thank you for calling us today.

Okay.

Wonderful.

Bye-bye.

Thanks, Lynn.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

I did a study abroad program in Paris, and I was definitely immersed and not submerged.

Are you sure?

I never fell into the sand.

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