the + body parts

[baraka]

What's the difference between the following two sentences? I touched him on the shoulder. I touched his shoulder.
Thanks, Baraka

[Casiopea]

Well, they could mean the exact same thing or they could mean different things.

Difference
[1] I touched him on the shoulder.
(I did it on purpose; e.g., I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.)

[2] I touched his shoulder.
(I did it by accident. It was crowed.)