An autocomplete that shows only the column names of the desired table BEFORE the from clause is typed by the user would require a time machine.

Sure you can do something that is close enough, but the LINQ authors were looking for precision in the autocompletion and for the LINQ query to have the same ordering as expression syntax.

The goals of this syntax are very precise and people seem to like it. Once again: calling it dumb is uncalled for.

So you want it to work this way, regardless of how well autocomplete works? Sounds like its about your personal comfort to make it work like another system you are more familiar with, which is exactly what I suggested.

It doesn't require a time machine, just a basic understanding of statistics or probability.