Metal Prices

[prakhar_au]

Hi Ron,

A query regarding the following question posted in the thread:

future-perfect-subjunctive-t7537.html

If present metal prices continue to sharply rise, the value of the
copper in a penny will soon be greater than the face value of the coin.

a. if present metal prices continue to sharply rise,
b. if present metal prices are continuing their sharp rise,
c. should present metal prices continue their sharp rise,
d. continuation of sharply rising metal prices should mean that
e. metal prices' sharp rise continuing should mean that

I understand why A is incorrect but doesn't the correct answer C suggests that prices are causing themselves to rise sharply or am I interpreting it incorrectly?

E.g: My bill amount continues to rise sharply v/s My bill amount continues its sharp rise...which one's correct?

[mschwrtz]

This isn't a real GMATPrep question, right? So it shouldn't be here.

In any event, this sentence

Should present metal prices continue their sharp rise, the value of the copper in a penny will soon be greater than the face value of the coin.

inelegant though it surely is, doesn't have the particular problem you ascribe to it. I understand you to suggest that there is something about the verb continue that suggests agency in a way that some other active verbs might not. But it doesn't, as these examples suggest:

If ocean water continue to warm, coral reefs will continue to suffer.
Does the road continue past the ranch?

Or do you mean only that continue followed by an action noun has the special property?