THANKS ALOT GUYS

His figures were off.

Off describes the place where his figures were. Adverbs tell how, when, or where. Try this example:

I'm going home.

"Home" is used as an adverb.

I'm leaving now.

"Now" is the adverb.

I am here.

"Here" is the adverb.

I went today.

"Today" is the adverb.

He fell down.

"Down" is the adverb.

"Off" is not an adverb in this case. It is an adjective in this sentence. Off can be an adverb, preposition or adjective.

The word "off" in your sentence is describing the figures, and not the verb "were". Were is a linking verb that often joins a noun and adjective. "She is pretty," for example.

I still think it's an adjective, especially considering if I said "The figures were wrong," 'wrong' isn't an adverb and doesn't modify the verb 'were'. This is just as if I said, "They were alive." 'Alive' is an adjective and doesn't modify 'were' either. 'Off' as an adjective means inadequate or unsatisfactory. As far as I have EVER known in my years of teaching and studying this language, I've never seen an adverb modify the verb "to be"! Try it...They were quickly??

So, give me thumbs down all you wish, but this grammar queen stands by her answer!

it IS an adverb.

how were they?
they were off.
"were" is the verb. "off" modifies the verb.

Think about it this way: What were his figures? They were "off". Off modifies the verb.

You might substitute "incorrect" for "off". Either way, the word modifies the verb "were". The modifier of a verb is an adverb.