Chapter 3 Problem Set, Number 10

[barrettblack]

The answer to this question reads...

A new textbook focused on recent advances in artificial intelligence was assigned by our instructor.

I understand that the original question is a fragment and that the verb form of "to be" (was) needs to be inserted after the word "intelligence".

What I do not understand is why the word "that" is not inserted after the word "textbook"?

The sentence would then read...

A new textbook that focused on recent advances in artificial intelligence was assigned by our instructor.

Are both correct? Or why does the addition or lack of the word "that" make sense?

[tim]

They are both acceptable, depending on the intent of the sentence. A "textbook that focused" means the textbook itself is doing the focusing - possible but not likely. A "textbook focused" means that someone (presumably the author) focused the textbook on the topic..

[KshitijG190]

Why should it not be "focussing" in place of focused?

[RonPurewal]

Why should it not be "focussing" in place of focused?

That could work too.