What characterizes verbal communication?

Verbal communication is characterized by its reliance on voice, which encompasses spoken words and the nuances of tone, pitch, and volume used during interactions. This form of communication is crucial because it allows individuals to convey messages directly through speech, enabling immediate feedback and clarification. While it can include elements such as inflection and emotional expression, the primary attribute is that it is based on vocalized language.

In the context of verbal communication, both spoken and written forms exist, but the question specifically highlights what defines it. Thus, options that focus solely on body language or suggest a specific negativity, such as aggression, diverge from the essence of how verbal communication is understood. Written words, while integral to communication as a whole, pertain more to written communication rather than the vocal characteristics that define verbal interactions.