Here's why:
* Sound Production: Unlike consonants, which obstruct airflow in the mouth, "w" is produced by a smooth, gliding motion of the lips and tongue. It's similar to a vowel in how air flows freely.
* Function in Words: "W" can function as both a beginning sound in a syllable (like "wine") and an ending sound (like "cow"). This is similar to vowels.
* Phonetics: In phonetic transcription, "w" is often represented by the symbol /w/, which falls within the category of "glides" or "semi-vowels".
Therefore, while "w" shares some characteristics with consonants, its unique sound production and function in words make it more closely related to vowels.