comma splices - "then" vs "and then"


I was writing an email in Outlook and its grammar correction suggested I change this:



I need to do something, then I'll call you.



to this:



I need to do something, and then I'll call you.



Is the "and" needed there to be correct?



Answer



This is from Cambridge.org. They're relatively authoritative.


Then meaning next: we can use then to mean next:


For Example:



He opened the door, then the lights came on and everybody shouted, ‘Happy Birthday’.


Heat some olive oil in a pan, then add some chopped garlic and some salt.



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