recompensar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
recompensar — to reward
Use imperfect subjunctive like 'recompensara' for past hypotheticals or wishes.
recompensar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for talking about hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or recommendations in the past. For 'recompensar', you might use it if you were talking about what you *would have* rewarded or hoped someone *would reward*.
Notes on recompensar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Recompensar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist (e.g., recompensara/recompensase), but the -ra form is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si hubiera sabido, lo hubiera recompensado más.
If I had known, I would have rewarded him more.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que nos recompensaran por el esfuerzo extra.
I doubted they would reward us for the extra effort.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá tú me recompensaras por mi ayuda.
I wish you would reward me for my help.
tú
Era importante que el profesor recompensara la participación.
It was important that the teacher reward participation.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or uncertain past actions, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'recompensara' not 'recompensaba'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for expressing doubt, desire, or unreality in the past.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'a' in the -ra forms (e.g., 'recompensara' vs 'recompensara').
Correct: The accent is on the 'a' for most forms: recompensara, recompensaras, recompensara, recompensáramos, recompensarais, recompensaran.
Why: The accent helps distinguish the imperfect subjunctive from other tenses and indicates stress.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: recompenso
Use present tense like 'recompenso' for current actions or habits.
Preterite
yo: recompensé
Use preterite like 'recompensé' for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: recompensaba
Use imperfect like 'recompensaba' for past habits or descriptions.
Future
yo: recompensaré
Use future like 'recompensaré' for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: recompensaría
Use conditional like 'recompensaría' for hypotheticals ('would').
Present Subjunctive
yo: recompense
Use present subjunctive like 'recompense' after wishes, doubts, or emotions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: recompensa
Use imperative forms like 'recompensa' (tú) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no recompenses
Use 'no' + present subjunctive for negative commands, like 'no recompenses' (tú).