[General] If you hadn't lied to me

[Anil Giria]

If you hadn't lied to me before, I would have believed you.

I understand have is used as an infinitive (main verb)in this sentence and not as a auxiliary verb. Am I correct. (I understand infinitive is the base case of the verb)

 

[MikeNewYork]

"Have" is an auxiliary verb there. The entire verb is "would have believed".

 

[MikeNewYork]

I consider the use of "main" verb to be useful. Changing its name to something else changes nothing. This is more terminology. What is the OP to do when he/she comes across "main verb" in a different place?

 

[Anil Giria]

Forget the idea of 'main verb''; it's not always helpful. The full/lexical verb in a verb phrase is the one that cariies the meaning of the event or state. If there is only one verb, that verb is the lexical verb:

Mary and Frank have been injured.- Is it present perfect tense?
We have had a lot of problems with our freezer.- Which tense is this?

I understand that full verb/lexical verb is as good as main verb?

 

[Anil Giria]

"Have" is an auxiliary verb there. The entire verb is "would have believed".

I understand, "I would have believed you" is modal perfect and in modal perfect "Have" is infinitive. Am I right?

All modal perfect auxiliary verbs refer to the past.
FORM: Modal + Have (Infinitive) + Past Participle

 

[MikeNewYork]

"Have" is the base form (infinitive form) of the verb. It is not what we typically refer to as an infinitive. I know this terminology can be difficult and tedious.

 

[Anil Giria]

"Have" is the base form (infinitive form) of the verb. It is not what we typically refer to as an infinitive. I know this terminology can be difficult and tedious.

May I say that when we say " have" is the base case of the verb, we can't classify it into auxiliary verb. For eg: I have gone there. Here "have" is an auxiliary verb and not the main verb/base case of the verb. Am I right?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes you are, but "have" is still the base form of the verb.