An ___________ is a word that gives definiteness or indefiniteness to a noun.

An article is a word that provides definiteness or indefiniteness to a noun. In English, articles can be categorized into two main types: definite and indefinite. The definite article "the" is used to refer to a specific noun that is known to the reader, while the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used to refer to non-specific nouns. For example, in the phrase "the book," the article "the" indicates a particular book that both the speaker and listener are familiar with. In contrast, in "a book," the article "a" indicates any book, not one that is specifically known. This function of articles is essential for clarity in communication, as they help to convey whether we are talking about something particular or something more general. Understanding articles and their role is fundamental in both writing and speaking in English, as they provide important information about the nouns they modify.