Why acid didn't show its characteristic without the presences of water?

Answer 1

acids are created by the dissociation of water, the splitting of water to create OH molecules and H+ molecules. without the H+ molecule, you don't get pH, which is how acidic or basic something is. water is necessary because without water, you don't have the H+ or the OH molecules.

Answer 2

Acid must dissociate to release hydronium ions. This is only possible in the presence of water.