To capitalize or not?

I capitalize - don't ask me why. I just do.

Ditto Dave...just looks better to me

-JD-

> Which do you prefer and why? Does it ultimately matter and can you cite a source?

I use capitalization in descriptions for emphasis in addition to the capitalizations of standard modern English usage. The reason is that it makes sure that the important elements stand out. For example rather than:

>"to a 1/2-inch iron pipe found"

I prefer

>"to a 1/2-inch Iron Pipe found"

Isn't it a proper noun when used in a description? and therefore capitalized?

Dtp

East Is A Cardinal Direction, Always Capitalize

eastern boundary, not capitalized.

Paul in PA

Proper English is to only capitalize cardinal directions when used as (part of) a proper noun. That being said, none of us use proper English...

> Isn't it a proper noun when used in a description? and therefore capitalized?

:good:

Now you're getting too serious. Since when do surveyors know and use proper English? Next thing you know you're going to tell us we're supposed to know how to spell without spell check.:-)

Two things...

1. east should be capitalized if used as a cardinal directdion. i.e. then East, 10 chains to the east boundary ( I prefer to call it east boundary rather than eastern boundary, although either would probably be correctd.

2. You really use N 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds E rather than "East"?

So, in this example 'east' is an adjective describing the noun 'boundary'?

What is "it"?

"east boundary" is not a proper noun. Section 10 is a proper noun.

"west right-of-way line" is not a proper noun. "west right-of-way line of Main Street" Main Street is.

Bingo, as is West Main Street... 😉

> 1. east should be capitalized if used as a cardinal directdion. i.e. then East,

I thought Blacks and Wattles say ALL CAPS when used in this way i.e. EAST

Steve

> Two things...
>
> 1. east should be capitalized if used as a cardinal directdion. i.e. then East, 10 chains to the east boundary ( I prefer to call it east boundary rather than eastern boundary, although either would probably be correctd.

My thoughts reflect yours. I look at "easterly" as a direction of travel.

> 2. You really use N 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds E rather than "East"?

Yes and yes.

I like the idea of capitalizing for greater emphasis. In "legal-description-speak", it is very akin to a proper noun the way I see it. It is a higher order than the bearing and distance. I would suggest that you might capitalize both "East" and "Boundary", because that is the "name" of the limit of the property you are describing.

But I never really thought about it much before this thread.

Another question, do you guys ever make a certain word or phrase bold for added emphasis? I just did that in a description I wrote. Especially since it was kind of confusing and some of the people reading it kind of missed some nuances in it.

I used eastern quite a bit in my Metes and Bounds, a lot of times the boundary is not North to South, calling it the east line would not be correct, but eastern, easterly, would be correct. I also use the most eastern corner, the most southerly eastern corner, the most eastern interior corner etc....

I go back and forth on if I would capitalize east, as a direction most of the time I do, describing a line most of the time I dont. to the east fence, to the east adjoiner.

I agree

If it is not the "east boundary" than it would be either northeast boundary, or southeast boundary, rather than eastern. Easterly is a direction and should not be used to describe a boundary line; " thence in an easterly direction"

Why do you need to capitalize or bold certain wording in the description? The only ones that are going to understand the description are other surveyors anyway and the capitals or bold are not aiding them in anyway. It it the description as a whole that needs to be interpreted and not one word or phrase.

Sorry..lol..slow day.....snowing and cold...