Is "was" a transitive verb?

Ans:No,the verb "was" is not a transitive verb.Look at the following example:

●He was a student.

Explanation:Here "He"="a student".

Here the verb "was" is functioning like a equal sign.That is,the verb "was" is linking the subject of the sentence and its complement.The alternative identity of "He" is "a student".

Here the word "He"and"a student" is identical.Here "a student"is the complement of the subject "He".


We know that the verb that connects the subject of a sentence to the complement of the subject is called linking verb.Here the verb "was" is a linking verb.

Remember that a transitive verb must take an object after it without the help of a preposition.

●They want a banana.

Here the verb"want" is a transitive verb because it has an object which is "a banana".

●He was a student.

Here "a student" is not the object of the verb "was".Here"a student" is the subject complement.So the verb" was " is not a transitive verb but a linking verb.


●He goes to school.

Explanation:Here the verb"goes" is an intransitive verb because it has no object.Here "to school" is the adverb of place which is modifying the verb "goes".Here "school"is a noun.When a noun wants to function as an adverb,it takes a preposition before it and makes a prepositional phrase that functions like an adverb.

Remember that the verb" was "is not an intransitive verb too.It is just a linking verb.

Look at the following example:

●He was going to school.


Here the verb "was" is helping the verb "go" to form past continuous  tense.So the verb "was " can function as a helping verb or auxiliary verb.

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