Differences between an offer and an invitation to treat.

An offer is an expression of willingness to contract on certain terms with the intention that it shall become binding as soon as it is accepted by the person to whom it is deal with. It is a manifestation of a willingness to be bound by contract. Other than that, an offer means a signification by one person to another person of his willingness to enter into a contract with him on certain terms. The offer will usually indicate the form the acceptance should take and may indicate when the acceptance will be deemed to have occurred. In seeking to prove that a contract was in existence, it will be necessary to show that there was a definite offer.

Advertisements of unilateral contracts are treated as offers. An advertisement to general public for a reward to anyone who does something is treated as an offer. If the offer forms the basis for a unilateral contract, it can be difficult to revoke. Typically the offeror must take reasonable steps to revoke the offer in the sa...