Which of the following is a characteristic of a breach of contract?

A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill their obligations as stipulated in a legally binding agreement. The correct choice identifies the core component of a breach, which is the violation of the agreed terms in the contract. This can manifest in various forms, such as failing to deliver goods on time, not making payments as scheduled, or not performing the duties outlined in the contract.

This characteristic is fundamental because it directly reflects the concept that a contract is an agreement that creates enforceable obligations; when those obligations are not met, a breach has occurred. The repercussions of a breach can lead to legal action, including the possibility of the non-breaching party seeking damages or specific performance to enforce the contract.

Other options may involve situations that are relevant to contracts but do not define a breach. For instance, failure to continue negotiating does not equate to violating a contract; it merely relates to discussions that may or may not lead to a contract. Similarly, the death of a party can affect a contract but does not inherently constitute a breach, as contracts can often be assigned or fulfilled by others depending on the circumstances. Lastly, legal impossibility involves scenarios where a contract cannot be performed due to external factors, which may excuse a party from performing but does