How to Write Compass Points in Sentences

The cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) and the intercardinal directions (northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest) are commonly referred to as compass points. Today’s post outlines how to write compass points in sentences. First, we’ll look at the guidelines for capitalizing them and then we’ll explore the guidelines for abbreviating them in addresses in sentences.

When to Capitalize Compass Points

Typically, compass points used as names for specific regions in the United States are capitalized, while compass points representing general directions or areas are lowercased.¹

Sweet tea is more popular in the South than it is in the North.

The pickle stand is located just east of the hot dog cart at the county fair.

Many Americans are moving west to Colorado, Utah, and Texas.

When to Abbreviate Compass Points

Compass points are usually spelled out unless they are part of a roadway name in an address. However, even within an address, the guidelines for abbreviating compass points are more complex than those for capitalizing compass points. In fact, the two primary style guides that provide the most in-depth discussion on the issue, The Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago style) and The Associated Press Stylebook (AP style), provide markedly different recommendations.

To clarify the issue, let’s look at the Chicago style and the AP style recommendations separately and follow up with a brief discussion on which style may be more appropriate for your writing.

Important Note: If you are writing compass points in addresses on envelopes or packages, disregard all style guides and follow the guidelines set out by the United States Postal Service or the postal service for your location—after all, having your mail arrive at its destination is more important than how your abbreviations are punctuated.

Chicago Style Recommendations for Abbreviating Compass Points

Chicago style recommends spelling out north, south, east, and west when used in an address in a sentence. Conversely, Chicago style recommends using the abbreviations followed by a period (N., S., E., and W.) when writing a standalone address (for example, a business address on the back of a brochure).²

In-Sentence Examples

You’re invited to the block party on West Smith Avenue this Saturday afternoon.

A new coffee shop opened at 515 South Barista Street.

Standalone Example

All questions and concerns should be mailed to

              Quizzical Department

123 N. Incognito Drive

Fake Town, IL 00000

In addition, Chicago style recommends always abbreviating northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest without a period (NE, NW, SE, and SW) when writing an address in a sentence or a standalone address.³

The café is located at 81 SE Smith Road in Acmeville.

AP Style Recommendations for Abbreviating Compass Points

AP style recommends spelling out any compass point (be it a cardinal or intercardinal direction) when writing a roadway name or address without a street number. Conversely, AP style recommends abbreviating any compass point that is part of a numbered address.⁴

Visit our store on the corner of South Jones Street and Northeast Market Circle.

The pizza delivery person headed to 81 E. Pie Drive and then 99 SW Cheese Road.

Like Chicago style, AP style recommends using a period with the abbreviations for north, south, east, and west (N., S., E., and W.) and not using a period with the abbreviations for northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest (NE, NW, SE, and SW).⁵

Should You Follow Chicago Style or AP Style When Abbreviating Compass Points?

Follow Chicago style if you want to align your writing with traditional publishing; follow AP style if you want to align your writing with traditional journalism. If you are unsure, strongly consider following Chicago style because it offers the most versatility for a variety of business and academic content, as well as nonfiction and fiction. (Obviously, if your organization follows another style guide or has an in-house style guide, you should defer to that source.)

Further Reading: How to Write Names of Highways, Streets, and Other Roadways

References

1. The Associated Press Stylebook 2020–2022 (New York: Associated Press, 2020), 87; The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 8.46–47.
2. The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 10.34.
3. The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 10.34.
4. The Associated Press Stylebook 2020–2022 (New York: Associated Press, 2020), 6.
5. The Associated Press Stylebook 2020–2022 (New York: Associated Press, 2020), 6.