can "numbers of" ever be correct ? -- apparantly so !!!

[pankajv731]

New Jersey’s is one of the five highest number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States.
(A) New Jersey’s is one of the five highest number of reported
(B) New Jersey’s is one of the five highest numbers in reporting
(C) New Jersey has a report of one of the five highest numbers of
(D) New Jersey has one of the five highest numbers of reported
(E) New Jersey reports one of the five highest number of


The correct answer is D. "numbers of is always incorrect" is I guess one of the pillars of anyone's GMAT SC prep. Really need to understand whats going on here asap. The D day is in 2-3 days...SOS !!!

[StaceyKoprince]

Yes, "numbers of" can be correct. Our book doesn't say that it can't be. It's just not that common. :)

See here for a discussion of this problem:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/numbers-of-for-goel-mohit-t39685-15.html