How do verbal and nonverbal communication differ?

• A. Verbal uses words
• B. Nonverbal uses only body language
• C. Verbal uses written language
• D. Nonverbal uses facial expressions

Answer: (A)

Verbal communication centers on the use of words to convey meaning. That includes spoken words and written text, where the message is carried through language itself. Nonverbal communication, on the other hand, relies on signals without words—facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, posture, proximity, and touch all convey meaning even when no words are spoken. The defining idea here is whether words are involved.

This makes the statement that verbal uses words the best answer. Nonverbal does not depend on words, so it covers a broader range of cues beyond just body language, tone, or facial expressions. Saying verbal uses written language, while technically true, is narrower and doesn’t capture the full distinction, since verbal also includes spoken language. Saying nonverbal uses facial expressions is true but incomplete, as nonverbal encompasses many other cues beyond faces.