Muriel is expecting.

Question

In this quiz "Muriel is expecting" can only be translated as "Muriel attend un bébé". Can you please explain why "Muriel attend" is not acceptable French?

Chris Wirt · Accepted Answer

Hi Paul, such things are difficult to explain logically. This isn't a grammatical issue.
Muriel attend means Muriel is waiting. Muriel attend un bébé. -- Muriel is waiting for a baby. Or, as we would say in English, Muriel is expecting a baby.
-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Paul Blood · Answer

Thanks for your answer Chris, but that is not what I am asking. If I say to you in English, my wife is expecting, you would understand that she is expecting a baby. If I say to a French person ma femme attend, will the French person understand that my wife is expecting a baby?

Chris Wirt · Answer

No. I thought I had addressed that point by saying the Muriel attend means Muriel is waiting. I guess I wasn't clear enough.

Paul Blood · Answer

Thanks Chris. So I understand now that your advice is that a French person would not understand that my wife is expecting if I say ma femme attend.

Chris Wirt · Answer

Yes, exactly.