compensar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
compensar — to compensate
The imperfect subjunctive of compensar (e.g., compensara, compensase) is used for hypothetical situations or past wishes/doubts.
compensar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical or unreal situations in the past, polite requests, or expressing wishes/doubts about past events. For 'compensar', think 'if only I *could* compensate' or 'I would compensate if...'.
Notes on compensar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Compensar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive, with both the -ra and -se forms being correct (e.g., compensara/compensase). The -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si tuviera más tiempo, compensara mi ausencia con una visita.
If I had more time, I would compensate for my absence with a visit.
yo
Me gustaría que compensaras el error que cometiste.
I would like you to compensate for the mistake you made.
tú
Ojalá él compensase la falta de atención.
Hopefully, he would compensate for the lack of attention.
él/ella/usted
Ellos pidieron que compensáramos el daño.
They asked that we compensate for the damage.
nosotros
Si ustedes nos ayudaran, compensarían su ayuda más tarde.
If you all helped us, you would compensate their help later.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive, like 'Si compensó...'.
Correct: Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypotheticals: 'Si compensara...'.
Why: The preterite refers to completed past actions, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with unreal or hypothetical past conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using only one.
Correct: Both 'compensara' and 'compensase' are correct, though '-ra' is more common.
Why: While both forms are grammatically correct, learners often stick to one and might be confused by the other.
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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.
Imperfect
yo: compensaba
The imperfect of compensar (compensaba, compensabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of compensating.
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.
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).