do you suppose this is a red herring

[Flogger]

Hello,

I just want to know if this is right to put an "if" in the following question?

The original:

Or do you suppose this is a red herring and that the abandonment of the gold standard is at the root of the matter?

My version:

Or do you suppose if this is a red herring and that the abandonment of the gold standard is at the root of the matter?

The Remains of the Day

 

[5jj]

Why do you think the addition of 'if' might be correct?

 

[Flogger]

Why do you think the addition of 'if' might be correct?

isn't it?

Due to my first language probable

 

[Tdol]

You could use that, but if serves no purpose for me- it turns the sentence into a mess in English. It may well work in your language, but it doesn't translate well.

 

[jutfrank]

It seems you're thinking of the verb suppose like 'wonder' (I wonder if ...) instead of thinking of it like 'think' (I think that ...).