future proche

Question

You gave the example "I'll have a coke" and marked this wrong when I wrote "Je prendrai ...".  I was puzzled and read the grammar lesson which explained about the 'futur proche' using "aller + verb".  I was aware of that construction although not aware that it had the technical name 'futur proche'.  However, all the examples given in English used "going to + verb" which seems correct to me.  On the contrary, "I will have" sounds to me like a simple future tense and should have been accepted.  I suggest your sentence should have read "I'm going to have", to make it clear to the student what construction you require.

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Celia,
I cannot see the example you've mentioned in the lesson you refer to in your question. Where did you see this example exactly please: a test, a dictation, a specific lesson etc? It would be useful for us to know so as to help you.
Merci et bonne journée !

Answer

Technically, you are correct: "I'll have a Coke" corresponds to le futur simple. But in a situation where you're in a restaurant ordering a Coke, you would never use the futur simple in French. It is reserved for events that lie further in the future. For the immediate future -- as when you're ordering something -- you'd use either just present tense or le futur proche.

Je prends un Coca. -- I'll have a Coke.
Je vais prendre un Coca. -- I'll have a Coke.