Forrester smiled triumphantly, then softened to her plight.
Microsoft Word always points out that the word 'and' should precede the word then in situations like this. If these were two independent clauses, the comma could be replaced with a semicolon, but they are not. Do sentences like this need the conjunction 'and'?
This writer likes to use just the word 'then' following the comma, and I always and the conjunction. Which way is correct? In fiction, can you give the writer poetic license, so to speak, or am I correct in doing what I'm doing?
A.You are right to suspect Microsoft Word's grammar check. It is acceptable to use "and" in this sentence, but it is not required. If "and" is put into the sentence, the comma is superfluous.