compensar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
compensar — to compensate
The present subjunctive of compensar (compense, compenses, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, emotion, wishes, or uncertainty.
compensar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive after phrases that express doubt ('dudo que'), emotion ('me alegra que'), wishes ('quiero que'), or uncertainty, when the subject of the main clause is different from the subordinate clause. For 'compensar', it's like 'I want you to compensate' or 'It's unlikely they will compensate'.
Notes on compensar in the Present Subjunctive
Compensar is regular in the present subjunctive. All forms are derived from the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('compenso').
Example Sentences
Espero que compenses el tiempo perdido.
I hope you compensate for the lost time.
tú
Dudo que él compense la falta de esfuerzo.
I doubt he compensates for the lack of effort.
él/ella/usted
Queremos que compensemos nuestro error.
We want us to compensate for our mistake.
nosotros
Es posible que compenséis la molestia.
It's possible that you all compensate for the inconvenience.
vosotros
No creo que ellos compensen el daño.
I don't think they compensate for the damage.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the subjunctive, e.g., 'Espero que compensas'.
Correct: Use the present subjunctive after doubt/emotion/wishes: 'Espero que compenses'.
Why: Certain trigger phrases require the subjunctive mood to express subjectivity.
Mistake: Using the subjunctive when the subject is the same, e.g., 'Yo compenso mi error'.
Correct: When the subject is the same, use the indicative: 'Yo compenso mi error'.
Why: The subjunctive is typically used when there are two different subjects involved (one in the main clause, one in the subordinate clause).
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'compensar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
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.
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).