Muriel is expecting.

Paul B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Muriel is expecting.

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?
Asked 6 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct 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 B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
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 W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
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 B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
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 W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Yes, exactly. 

Muriel is expecting.

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?

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