Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[sabrinak]

Hello, I'd like to know which one is correct or better.

For example, when you are cold and you have to turn up the heater or something, do you also say "turn up the heat" instead of "turn up the heater"?

I'd appreciate your explanation greatly.

[nodame]

although I am not an english teacher, I'll help you with explanations.

according to your sentence your asking for a something so the correct sentence is "turn up the heater. although they're both NOUN but its a matter of something.

Like for example. If you wanna eat something but the food is cold, so you would say can you heat it up.

I hope it helped you.

[pugachevV]

Usually we say "Turn up the heat". This is probably because most homes in North America have central heating.
If you have a small portable heater in the room, you can say, "Turn up the heater".