On finite complete rewriting systems and large subsemigroups

Abstract

Let $S$ be a semigroup and $T$ be a subsemigroup of finite index in $S$ (that is, the set $S\setminus T$ is finite). The subsemigroup $T$ is also called a large subsemigroup of $S$. It is well known that if $T$ has a finite complete rewriting system then so does $S$. In this paper, we will prove the converse, that is, if $S$ has a finite complete rewriting system then so does $T$. Our proof is purely combinatorial and also constructive.