If I were to be going to...

[moodywop]

At IE an Italian forero asked about the use of if I were to... followed by be going to, as seen in this quote:

If I were to be going to pick just one person here for intelligence, it would be a no contest, hands down winner in Peralko

I ventured a guess that it is an unnecessary convoluted construction but I'm not a native speaker. Wouldn't the following sound more natural?

If I had to pick...

 

[la reine victoria]

At IE an Italian forero asked about the use of if I were to... followed by be going to, as seen in this quote:

If I were to be going to pick just one person here for intelligence, it would be a no contest, hands down winner in Peralko

I ventured a guess that it is an unnecessary convoluted construction but I'm not a native speaker. Wouldn't the following sound more natural?

If I had to pick...

Hello Carlo,


Yes, "If I had to pick" sounds far more natural.

In your quoted "convoluted construction" it would be better to say, "If I were going to pick . . . . . . "


Regards,

LRV

 

[GenJen54]

I agree with Her Majesty, but would also offer: If I were to pick...

If I had to pick, at least to my ears, suggests there is some obligation involved.

If I were to pick
If I were going to pick
are more synonymous to me.

 

[DAH]

If I were to pick

If I were to be going to = encumbered and labored construction.