Instead of … , she lied? — Choose the option that best completes the gap(s)

Analyze the question

The sentence is "Instead of ....... , she lied?" The gap must be filled with a form that works after the preposition "instead of."

Concept

After a preposition (such as instead of, before, after, without), English requires a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund (the -ing form of a verb). It never takes the bare infinitive (plead) or the to-infinitive (to plead).

Step-by-step solution

1. "Instead of" is a prepositional phrase, so what follows must be a noun or gerund.
2. Option D, "plead," is a bare verb and is wrong after a preposition.
3. Option B, "her to plead," is an infinitive construction, which is also wrong after a preposition.
4. Option C, "her pleading," is a gerund with an object-form pronoun. Formal grammar prefers the possessive (her pleading) when the gerund has its own subject. But here the subject of "pleading" and the subject of "lied" are the same person (she). So there is no need to repeat "her." Adding it would suggest a different or redundant doer.
5. Option A, "pleading," is a simple gerund. The sentence reads: "Instead of pleading, she lied." This is clear, correct, and natural.

Answer: A. pleading

Tip

When the subject of the main clause is also the doer of the action after "instead of," use the plain -ing form with no extra pronoun. For example: "Instead of studying, he slept." Remember: preposition + verb = -ing.