Prevent sb. from sth

[Pond969]

Hi Conchita... I was a bit handicapped by not having read 'War and Peace'. I was able to guess that the 'Corsican Monster' referred to Napoleon, but I had no idea who the 'angel' might be. I think this is a good illustration of the idea that familiarity with context and subject really helps one to interpret the language.

[Haihao]

Now it is as clear as a bell. Thank you, (Ms.?) Pond and Gracias, Dona Conchita . And I am sorry too for the misspelled expression 'hit her on her arm' which really caused a lot of confusion here. The original was 'He patted her on the shoulder'. What I wanted to know was if there was any (however slihgt) difference between 'pat her on the shoulder' and 'pat her shoulder'.

Thanks again.
haihao