Sentence Correction

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.

(A) Should present metal prices continue their sharp rise,
(B) If present metal prices are continuing their sharp rise,
(C) If present metal prices continue to sharply rise,
(D) Continuation of sharply rising metal prices should mean that
(E) Metal prices' sharp rise continuing should mean that

A

Experts plz explain "split infinitive and its use in above SC

A conventional infinitive construction: to VERB. A split infinitive occurs when the writer places something in between the "to" and the "VERB." Some grammarians argue that split infinitives are ungrammatical, though there is no consensus.

In answer choice C, we have "to sharply rise," so "sharply" separates "to" and "rise," creating a split infinitive. Not a terribly important rule for the GMAT.

(Note: My favorite usage guide, Garner's Modern American Usage, thinks it's silly to argue that split infinitives are ungrammatical.)

Thanks Dave, If it is so, then why c is not correct, and can we use should and if equally in respective SC context??