For a communication to be an offer, the communication must do which of the following?

• A. Induce a willingness by the offeree to accept the offer
• B. Create the power of acceptance in the offeror
• C. Manifest the offeror's willingness to enter into a contract
• D. Reveal the offeror's subjective intent

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that an offer is an outward, definite statement of the offeror’s present willingness to be bound by a contract on specific terms, subject to the offeree’s acceptance. In contract law, the test is objective: would a reasonable person understand from the communication that the offeror is willing to contract on those terms if the offeree accepts?

That’s why the best answer is the one that says the communication manifests the offeror’s willingness to enter into a contract. It focuses on the offeror’s outward commitment, not the offeree’s mindset or private thoughts. The offeree’s willingness to accept isn’t what makes something an offer; acceptance creates the contract. Similarly, the offer does not depend on revealing the offeror’s subjective intent, and while the offeree gains the power to accept, the essential element is the offeror’s manifest willingness to be bound upon acceptance.