English question about conditionals (Details inside).

“If I were believing” won’t work.

“If I believed in God, I would be called a theist.” (No “as” in any the answers.)

“If I were to believe in God, I would be called a theist” also is correct and the same as my first example.

“If I had to believe in God, I would be called a theist” implies that someone or something might be insisting, but this is also subtle.

“If I answer your question correctly, what…” “Correct” is an adverb here and modifies the verb “answer.”

“If I am correct, I have answered your question.” “Correct” is an adjective here and modifies “I.”

You have a great day too (omit “ahead.”)

@gailcalled: Yes, I used “ahead”. I just got up, and now I am on Fluther. Yesterday was too bad.

Assuming that English is not your native tongue, you are doing very well.

“Now I am on Fluther.”

“I am onto him” implies that he has done something suspicious and I have discovered what it is.

@gailcalled :Mistake corrected :)

@gailcalled gave good advice, as usual.

Don’t be too sidetracked by “onto” or “on to” (the other way the phrase is used). That’s a special idiomatic meaning that you’ve stumbled onto (ah-ha!). [The word itself is not used very frequently by any English speakers or writers that I’m familiar with, except in the particular – and still uncommon – way that @gailcalled demonstrated.]

Onto vs. on to.

“If I were believing” doesn’t work because “believe” is a stative verb – it doesn’t (usually) take the progressive/continuous form in the present.

It’s interesting here to compare:

“If I were to believe in God”.

with

“If I did believe in God”

and

“If I believed in God”

”...what would you give me?” (not “gift”)

@Jeruba: Ooh, what sharp eyes you have, grandma. I expected “give” and that’s what my eyes thought they saw.

@the100thmonkey. Beats me. I consider them interchangeable.

Sounds like country song lyrics:

If I were the believing sort, would I believe in God?
If I write a song in “General” will there be visits by a Mod?
If I could stop believing, what difference would it make
If God will be here anyway, my little soul to take?

If I were believing, will she be leaving too?
If I were believing, there might be room for you.
If I were believing, what miracles might I see?
If I were believing, a theist I would be . . .