Here's why:
* Sound: The "y" in "candy" makes a "y" sound, similar to the "y" in "yellow". This sound is produced by the tongue making contact with the roof of the mouth, a characteristic of consonants.
* Position: The "y" in "candy" follows the vowel "a" and precedes the consonant "d". This position further suggests a consonant sound.
While "y" can sometimes act as a vowel, like in "my" or "fly", in the word "candy" it functions as a consonant.