What is an important characteristic of all syllables?

An important characteristic of all syllables is that they must contain a vowel. A syllable is defined as a unit of sound that typically includes a vowel sound as its nucleus, which is essential for forming the syllable's structure. For example, in the words "bat," "cat," and "apple," the vowel sound is central to each syllable. This characteristic is foundational in phonetics and linguistics and is crucial for understanding how words are constructed in English and many other languages.

While some syllables can begin with a consonant or end with one, the presence of a vowel is what fundamentally differentiates a syllable from other linguistic constructs. Understanding that every syllable requires a vowel provides insight into phonetic patterns and helps in teaching reading and writing skills effectively.