Under the mirror image rule, a response that adds or changes terms is best described as

Under the mirror image rule, a response that adds or changes terms is best described as

• A. Acceptance with additional terms
• B. A counteroffer
• C. Valid contract
• D. Mere invitation to negotiate

Answer: (B)

Under the mirror image rule, acceptance must exactly mirror the terms of the offer. If the response adds or changes terms, it isn’t acceptance; it functions as a counteroffer. That rejects the original offer and creates a new offer for the other party to accept or reject. For example, proposing a different price or adding conditions in the reply shows you’re not agreeing to the exact terms, but proposing new ones. The other options don’t fit because adding terms isn’t still acceptance, a truly valid contract requires either exact acceptance or mutual agreement to a new offer, and a mere invitation to negotiate isn’t an actual contract.

Under the mirror image rule, acceptance must exactly mirror the terms of the offer. If the response adds or changes terms, it isn’t acceptance; it functions as a counteroffer. That rejects the original offer and creates a new offer for the other party to accept or reject. For example, proposing a different price or adding conditions in the reply shows you’re not agreeing to the exact terms, but proposing new ones. The other options don’t fit because adding terms isn’t still acceptance, a truly valid contract requires either exact acceptance or mutual agreement to a new offer, and a mere invitation to negotiate isn’t an actual contract.