to compensate for

USAGE SUMMARY

"to compensate for" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to make up for or balance out a loss, disadvantage, or deficiency. Example: The company offered a higher salary to compensate for the longer working hours.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You always have to compensate for error".

The New York Times

The products have to compensate for nonability".

The New York Times

Moreover, there are relatively few ways to compensate for obesity.

Princeton University

Examine your vulnerabilities and plan ahead to compensate for them.

Harvard University

Factory presets allow the car to compensate for such variables.

The New York Times

Mr. Simpson attempts to compensate for the show's narrow focus.

The New York Times - Arts

They didn't want me to compensate for them," she said.

The Guardian

Citizens were left to compensate for the public sector's retreat.

The Guardian

But there are ways to compensate for disabilities.

The New York Times

One effect seems to compensate for the other".

The Guardian

He has also had to compensate for poor vision.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to compensate for", ensure that the thing being compensated for is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The company increased salaries to compensate for the rising cost of living."

Common error

Avoid using "to compensate for" when you actually mean "to complement". Compensation implies offsetting a negative, while complementing means enhancing something positive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to compensate for" functions as an infinitive phrase introducing a clause of purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, often aiming to offset or balance a negative effect or deficiency, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to compensate for" is a versatile and commonly used expression that serves as a purpose connector, indicating an intent to counterbalance a deficiency or loss. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, academia, and business. While alternatives like "to make up for" and "to offset" exist, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring that the compensated element is clear. Common errors involve confusing compensation with simple addition, so focus on offsetting negative aspects rather than merely complementing positive ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make up for

This alternative is more informal and suggests correcting a deficiency or loss.

to offset

This alternative suggests counteracting something with an opposing force or effect.

to counterbalance

This alternative emphasizes achieving equilibrium by opposing something.

to atone for

This alternative implies making amends for a wrongdoing or mistake.

to redress

This alternative suggests correcting an injustice or wrong.

to indemnify

This alternative focuses on protecting against loss or damage.

to reimburse

This alternative specifically refers to repaying someone for expenses incurred.

to remunerate

This alternative means to pay someone for services rendered or losses suffered.

to make amends

This alternative suggests repairing a relationship or situation after causing harm.

to set right

This alternative means to correct something that is wrong or unfair.

FAQs

How can I use "to compensate for" in a sentence?

Use "to compensate for" to indicate that something is being done to offset a deficiency or loss. For example, "The team worked overtime "to compensate for" the earlier delays".

What are some alternatives to "to compensate for"?

You can use alternatives such as "to make up for", "to offset", or "to counterbalance" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "to compensate for"?

It's appropriate when you want to express the idea of balancing or offsetting a negative effect or deficiency. For example, "The athlete trained harder "to compensate for" a previous injury".

What's the difference between "to compensate for" and "to accommodate"?

"To compensate for" implies offsetting a negative aspect, while "to accommodate" suggests making adjustments to suit certain needs or conditions. For example, a company might offer flexible hours to accommodate employees' personal commitments.