Here's why:
* Sound: "W" makes a consonant sound. It obstructs airflow in the mouth, unlike vowels which allow air to flow freely.
* Position in words: "W" usually appears at the beginning or end of a word, like "water" or "flow," acting as a consonant.
* Pronunciation: In most English words, "w" is pronounced with the tongue touching the back of the teeth, creating a consonant sound.
While "w" can sometimes be a vowel sound (as in the word "how"), its primary function is as a consonant.