The

Definite Article The

The points to a specific person, place, or thing both speaker and listener know.
Use the for unique things: the Sun, the Moon, the President.
Use the when something was mentioned before.
Use the with superlatives and some geographical names.

Open the door. (that particular door we both see)

I saw a dog. The dog was brown. (second mention → specific)

The Ganges, the Himalayas, the Taj Mahal.

She is the tallest girl in Class 4.

Use the	Example
Musical instruments	He plays the tabla.
Only one of its kind	The Sun rises in the east.
Second mention	I bought a pen. The pen writes well.

NCERT anchor: CBSE Class 4 English; Marigold 4 — specific and unique nouns

Why the Red Fort and not a Red Fort?

Step 1 — Red Fort is one famous, known monument in Delhi.
Step 2 — Both know **which** fort.
Step 3 — Use **the** → **the Red Fort**.

Fill: ___ Moon shines at night.

Step 1 — Moon is unique in our sky.
Step 2 — Use **the**.
Answer: **The Moon** shines at night.

Mistake	Why it happens	Fix
The Ravi is my friend	Article before person's name	Ravi is my friend — no the
Sun rises in east	Missing the with unique nouns	The Sun rises in the east
The dogs are loyal (general)	The with general plural	Dogs are loyal (all dogs)
He is best student	Missing the with superlative	He is the best student

Fill: ___ Moon shines at night.
a/an/the: book on my desk (only one there)
Fix: He is best student in class.
Stretch: Write three sentences about the Ganges — why the is needed each time.

Revision tip: If both people know which one → use the; if introducing for first time → often a/an.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Definite Article The.