Under what circumstance can an offer be legally revoked?

An offer can be legally revoked prior to acceptance by the offeree. This principle is rooted in contract law, which states that an offer remains open for acceptance only until the offeree communicates their acceptance or until the offeror successfully revokes it. As long as the offeree has not yet accepted the offer, the offeror retains the right to withdraw the offer, provided that the revocation is communicated.

This mechanism upholds the flexibility of negotiation in contract formation and ensures that neither party is bound to an agreement that they may not wish to enter into. Once acceptance is communicated, the offer transforms into a binding contract, and the offeror can no longer revoke the offer without facing potential legal consequences.

Other options do not accurately reflect the legal framework surrounding offer revocation. For instance, revoking an offer after partial performance can lead to issues of reliance and potential claims for damages, while revocation occurring upon the offeree's request does not hold ground unless agreed upon by both parties.