" I _could deceive_, is in the
potential; _If_ I _could deceive_, is in the subjunctive mood.
2. The potential mood, as well as the indicative, is used in asking
a question; as, "May I go? Could you understand him? Must we die?"
The INFINITIVE MOOD expresses action, passion, or being, in a general
and unlimited manner, having no nominative, consequently, neither person
nor number; as, _"To speak, to walk_."
_Infinitive_ means _unconfined_, or _unlimited_. This mood is called the
infinitive, because its verb is not confined or limited to a nominative.
A verb in any other mood is limited; that is, it must agree in number
and person with its nominative; but a verb in this mood has _no_
nominative, therefore, it never changes its termination, except to form
the perfect tense. Now you understand why all verbs are called _finite_
or _limited_, excepting those in the infinitive mood.
NOTE. _To_, the sign of the infinitive mood, is often understood
before the verb; as, "Let me proceed;" that is, Let me _to_ proceed.
See RULE 25. _To_ is not a preposition when joined to a verb in this
mood; thus, _to_ ride, _to_ rule; but it should be parsed with the
verb, and as a part of it.
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