Xiao Ming was a student, but he isn't now.
was: 过去式,表示以前,就不用再加 before.
XiaoMing was a student, but he is not now
Xiao Ming was a student before,but now,he isn't a student anymore.
Xiao Ming was a student before, but not now. be动词是was 不是is 因为是过去式
Xiao Ming was a student in the past, but now he isn't.
Xiao Ming is a student before, but not now.