What is a key characteristic of glide sounds in articulation?

A key characteristic of glide sounds, also known as semi-vowels, is that they involve a continued motion into the following vowel. Glide sounds such as /w/ and /j/ are produced with a relatively open vocal tract and do not have the same degree of constriction as consonants. This allows for a smooth transition from the glide into the vowel sound that follows it, creating a flowing quality to speech.

This continued motion differentiates glides from other consonantal sounds, where more closure or a distinct stop of airflow may occur, leading to a more abrupt or isolated articulation. The nature of glide sounds typically reflects a less obstructed airflow, which contributes to the fluidity and connectedness in the production of syllables and words in speech.