compensar Imperfect Conjugation
compensar — to compensate
The imperfect of compensar (compensaba, compensabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of compensating.
compensar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect of 'compensar' to describe a past habit or an ongoing action of making up for something. For instance, 'Cuando era niño, compensaba mi falta de atención portándome bien' (When I was a child, I used to compensate for my lack of attention by behaving well).
Notes on compensar in the Imperfect
Compensar is regular in the imperfect indicative tense. All forms are predictable.
Example Sentences
Yo compensaba mi falta de habilidad con mucho esfuerzo.
I used to compensate for my lack of skill with a lot of effort.
yo
¿Tú compensabas el mal tiempo con actividades en casa?
Did you used to compensate for the bad weather with indoor activities?
tú
Él compensaba su baja estatura con una gran personalidad.
He compensated for his short stature with a great personality.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros compensábamos los errores del pasado con trabajo duro.
We used to compensate for past mistakes with hard work.
nosotros
Ellos compensaban la falta de luz con velas.
They used to compensate for the lack of light with candles.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Correct: Use the imperfect for descriptions and habits: 'Compensaba mi falta de tiempo'.
Why: The imperfect describes the background or ongoing nature of past actions, while the preterite focuses on completed events.
Mistake: Confusing the nosotros imperfect 'compensábamos' with other tenses.
Correct: Ensure context clarifies the ongoing or habitual nature if needed.
Why: While regular, learners might mix it up with similar-sounding forms if context isn't clear.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: compenso
The present tense of compensar (compenso, compensas, etc.) is for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: compensé
The preterite of compensar is regular: compensé, compensaste, compensó, compensamos, compensasteis, compensaron.
Future
yo: compensaré
The future tense of compensar (compensaré, compensarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: compensaría
The conditional of compensar (compensaría, compensarías, etc.) expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: compense
The present subjunctive of compensar (compense, compenses, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, emotion, wishes, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: compensara
The imperfect subjunctive of compensar (e.g., compensara, compensase) is used for hypothetical situations or past wishes/doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: compensa
Commands in the imperative for compensar are: compensa (tú), compense (usted), compensemos (nosotros), compensad (vosotros), compensen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no compenses
Negative commands for compensar use the present subjunctive: no compenses (tú), no compense (usted), no compensemos (nosotros), no compenséis (vosotros), no compensen (ustedes).