Scalar-tensor theories with an external scalar

Scalar-tensor (ST) gravity is considered in the case where the scalar is an external field. We show that General Relativity (GR) and usual ST gravity are particular cases of the External Scalar-Tensor (EST) gravity. It is shown with a particular cosmological example that it is possible to join a part of a GR solution to a part of a ST one such that the complete solution neither belongs to GR nor to ST, but fully satisfies the EST field equations. We argue that external fields may effectively work as a type of screening mechanism for ST theories.