with child

with child — idiom

1. carrying a developing baby inside the body — a literary or old-fashioned way of

1.慣用語C1
釋義

carrying a developing baby inside the body — a literary or old-fashioned way of saying someone is pregnant.

例句

Amara happily told her mother that she was with child.

predicative phrase: be + with child

Dr. Okonkwo smiled and told Elena, "You are with child."

formal register: doctor informing patient

同義詞
  • pregnant

    the everyday, neutral term; 'with child' is much more formal and far less common

  • expecting

    a common, slightly softer euphemism; less formal than 'with child'

文法句型

be + with child

用法筆記

This phrase is not used in everyday conversation. Modern speakers almost always say 'pregnant' instead. 'With child' appears mainly in historical fiction, Bible translations, and formal or literary writing.

常見錯誤

❌She is with a child.
✅She is with child.
💡The article 'a' is never used in this fixed phrase.