Which term refers to genuine assent—the actual agreement to form a contract, evidenced by the parties' actions and words?

• A. Consent
• B. Genuine Assent
• C. Agreement
• D. Assent

Answer: (B)

In contract formation, genuine assent means the parties truly intend to enter the contract and freely agree, as shown by their words and actions. This term emphasizes that the agreement is real and not the result of duress, misrepresentation, mistake, or undue influence. The phrase itself targets the authenticity of the agreement, which is why it’s the best fit for describing the actual, voluntary assent required to form a valid contract. While consent and assent can refer to agreeing, they don’t inherently convey that the agreement is genuine, and agreement denotes the outcome rather than the quality of the assent.