Noun or?

John = external complement
Likes = enjoy
Reading = Activity

Books = common noun

Anonymous"John likes reading."John = subjectLikes= verbReading= complement.But, if you add 'books' to the sentence, what part of speech is it?"John likes reading books."Thanks

John = subject (proper name)
Likes = verb
Reading books = clause (verb+noun) as catenative complement of "likes"
Books = noun as direct object of "reading"

BillJ

Very interesting.
Thanks

Thanks for you reply.
I'd be grateful if you can explain a bit more about what an external complement is.
Best wishes,
P

AnonymousThanks for you reply.I'd be grateful if you can explain a bit more about what an external complement is.Best wishes,P

"External complement" is a term sometimes used in grammar for the subject of a sentence. It's called 'external' because it's outside the verb phrase, though it still has to be licensed (specifically permitted) by the verb as any intern

its external because John is outside the book not inside...i mean he is a real person not a character in a story

Anonymousits external because John is outside the book not inside...i mean he is a real person not a character in a story

That has nothing to do with grammar. This thread is about nouns (a part of speech), which is a matter of grammar.

BillJ

Very helpful.
Thanks