When can a rejection of an offer be effective?

A rejection of an offer is effective when it is communicated to the offeror prior to their acceptance of that offer. This principle is rooted in contract law, which holds that an offer can only be accepted if it is still open and has not been rejected. Once a rejection is communicated to the offeror, the offer is effectively terminated, and the offeror cannot then accept the offer.

This concept highlights the importance of the timing and method of communication in the formation of contracts. If the rejection is communicated after acceptance has already occurred, it does not matter how the rejection was communicated; the offer would have already been accepted, rendering the rejection ineffective.

The other options present different misconceptions about the mechanics of offer and acceptance. For instance, rejection does not necessarily have to be in writing, as it can also be communicated verbally. Additionally, the notion of sharing with a third party is irrelevant to the effectiveness of the rejection, as it is the direct communication between the offeree and offeror that matters. Lastly, there is no requirement for a cooling-off period; a rejection is effective as soon as it is communicated to the offeror without any intermediary timeframe.