What effect does making an inquiry about an offer have on that offer?

Making an inquiry about an offer does not terminate the offer; instead, it keeps the offer operative while seeking clarification or additional information. When a party asks questions about the terms of the offer or requests modifications without explicitly rejecting the original terms, the offer remains valid and actionable.

This situation often occurs in negotiations where one party may not be entirely satisfied with the initial proposal and wishes to explore options without closing the door on that potential agreement. By simply making an inquiry, the parties maintain their contractual possibilities, thereby allowing further discussion and negotiation.

In contrast, a counteroffer or express rejection would typically terminate the original offer. It's also important to note that making inquiries does not allow for revocation of the offer since the offeror cannot withdraw the offer at that stage when the offeree is still considering the terms.