It’s uncertain what he would have had to gain by falsely characterizing them.
Is "would have had to gain" a semi-modal form (of "have to-infinitive) in the sentence above?
anonymous Is "would have had to gain" a semi-modal form (of "have to-infinitive) in the sentence above? No: it is 'have' as a main verb. '
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anonymousIs "would have had to gain" a semi-modal form (of "have to-infinitive) in the sentence above?
No: it is 'have' as a main verb. 'Have (something) to gain' may well be listed as idiomatic, along with 'have to say', as in 'What do you have to say for yourself, young man?'