Here's why:
* Morpheme: A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning in a language. It can be a word (like "cat" or "run") or a part of a word (like the "-ing" in "running").
* Phoneme: A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language. It's a distinct sound that can differentiate meaning (like the difference between "cat" and "bat").
* Syllable: A syllable is a unit of pronunciation consisting of a vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants. While syllables are important for pronunciation, they don't necessarily carry meaning on their own.
Example:
The word "cat" is made up of three phonemes: /k/, /æ/, and /t/. It's also a single morpheme, carrying the meaning of a small feline animal.
Key Point: Morphemes are the building blocks of meaning, while phonemes are the building blocks of sound. While a single phoneme doesn't have meaning on its own, a combination of phonemes can form a morpheme, which then has meaning.