Query: language using style

[Nessie]

Hi, I have some query about English using style as follow:

1/ Please look at this sentence:
In 2006 an American magazine, Forbes, named J.K. Rowling the richest woman in the U.K., even more so than Queen Elizabeth II, and the 48th most powerful celebrity in the world.
=> The writer of this sentence obviously express that J.K Rowling was even richer than Queen Elizabeth II, but why don't they write "even richer than" but "even more so than" => I can't understand the syntax

2/ The British, however, hating Napoleon, reversed the custom out of sheer perversity
=> Is the above sentence grammatically correct?

3/
This is the definition for the word "stinging" from the Longman Dictionary of American English (online edition)
stinging
sting·ing /ˈstɪŋɪŋ/ adj
stinging attack/report/letter etc
a report, letter etc that very strongly criticizes someone or something
　Dr Forwell made a stinging attack on government policy.

=> please take note of the phrase "on government pollicy" => there is no article or plural form. Is the sentence wrong?

Thank you in advance
Nessie
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Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Stew.t.]

Hi Nessie

1) "even more so (rich) than Queen Elizabeth II" would give you a clearer grammar in referance to understanding maybe. The so gives an emphasis in relation to the wealth of Queen Elizabeth, so Rowling is not just rich but really wealthy like the Queen.

2) yes.

3) You could use "a" or the plural, but the writer is emphasising an attack on policy, at the time of writing, in general not a number of policies or a specific one.
Hence the useage.

cheer stew.t.

cheers stew.t.
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[Nessie]

Thanks a lot, Stew.t, but I think when we use a noun to express a general meaning, we often use plural form
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Stew.t.]

The plural form is different from the general noun, which is the point I was making with the use of "a" as opposed to no article.
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[Nessie]

Hi Stew.t.,
could you please be more specific about question 3? I'm just so confused. I have never seen anyone use such a syntax

About question 2, are you sure the sentence is right? My teacher keeps insisting that it is wrong, especially in American English (+_+)

Nessie
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Stew.t.]

Hi Nessie

The second sentence is okay to a Brit.
Why is it said to be wrong in American English?

As for question 3, the syntax is okay if you wish to express an attack on government policy in general.
Which is why the writer uses the general compound noun.
The writer wishes to suggest the attack is on the manner of government policy at the time, by Dr Forwell, not a specific policy or policies.

What is caussing your confusion specifically?

cheers stew.t.
_________________
Please meet Stewart Tunncilff

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

Question 2 seems fine to me, too.
What part doesn't you teacher like? Is it the use of the present participle maybe?

Question 3 (policy):
Here is a definition from Webster's Dictionary that might help:
"a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body"

Many nouns can be used collectively. Basically, if you use the word 'policy' collectively, you lump together all of the the little individual policies that it consists of, and view them as a general overall plan.

I don't know that there is any rule you can follow. You simply have to learn which words can be used both ways, which are always used collectively, and which are rarely or never used collectively.
.

[Nessie]

Hi Amy, thanks a lot for your help. Actually, I have just seen countable noun used with articles or in plural, and I have never known its collective usage, so it's a little strange to me.
Could you please give me some more examples (noun which can and cannot be used collectively)

As for question 2, yes, my teacher thinks there's something wrong with the present participle.He said people don't usually use the syntax so I just want to ensure which idea is right

Thanks a lot
Nessie
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Nessie]

By the way, please look at this sentence:
I have class .....
A. on Mondays.
B. in Mondays.
C. at Mondays.
D. by Mondays
=> The right answer is surely A, but I wonder why they use "class" but not "classes" (+_+)
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...