Which term describes a promise that imposes no real obligation and lacks consideration?

Which term describes a promise that imposes no real obligation and lacks consideration?

• A. Illusory
• B. Duress
• C. Mistake
• D. Ambiguity

Answer: (A)

Illusory promises describe a commitment that imposes no real obligation because the promisor can choose at any time whether to perform. In contract law, consideration requires a bargained-for exchange; if one side’s promise is entirely discretionary, there’s no real bargain and the promise isn’t binding. For example, “I’ll sell you my watch if I feel like it” gives the promisor complete control over whether to perform, so there is no enforceable obligation or valid consideration. This isn’t about coercion (duress), a mistaken belief (mistake), or unclear terms (ambiguity), which is why those concepts don’t fit.

Illusory promises describe a commitment that imposes no real obligation because the promisor can choose at any time whether to perform. In contract law, consideration requires a bargained-for exchange; if one side’s promise is entirely discretionary, there’s no real bargain and the promise isn’t binding. For example, “I’ll sell you my watch if I feel like it” gives the promisor complete control over whether to perform, so there is no enforceable obligation or valid consideration.

This isn’t about coercion (duress), a mistaken belief (mistake), or unclear terms (ambiguity), which is why those concepts don’t fit.