How Do Non-Verbal Gestures Affect Communication? Think about how things like facial gestures, tone of voice and body language affect communication. For example, your partner looks down so you ask what’s wrong and they say “NOTHING” when you know something is wrong. Or your friend rolls their eyes at a comment that you make. Or you forget your friend’s birthday and they say “don’t worry” but you can tell from their body language that they are hurt.