Let's dive into the captivating world of SCIENCE FICTION as we introduce 20 ESSENTIAL collocations that every English learner should know when discussing this genre. Whether you're a fan of futuristic technology, time travel, or alien invasions, this post is your passport to unlocking the language of science fiction.

Why Study Collocations?

Studying collocations is crucial because they can help you grasp how words naturally come together in a language, enabling more authentic and fluent communication.

20 Must-Know Science Fiction Collocations:

warp speed

DEFINITION:

the theoretical ability to travel faster than the speed of light which is about 300,000 kilometers or 186,000 miles per second

EXAMPLES:

1. The spacecraft entered warp speed and embarked on an incredible journey through space.
2. The starship accelerated to warp speed, leaving behind streaks of light as it traveled across the galaxy.

interstellar travel

DEFINITION:

the ability to travel from one star system to another

EXAMPLES:

1. The advancement of technology may one day enable us to achieve interstellar travel and explore the universe.
2. The crew embarked on a daring mission of interstellar travel in search of new habitable planets.

cryogenic sleep

DEFINITION:

the process of preserving a person or organism at extremely low temperatures for extended periods, often for long-duration space travel or medical purposes

EXAMPLES:

1. The crew embarked on a deep space mission, entering cryogenic sleep to endure the centuries-long journey.
2. After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, the doctor opted for cryogenic sleep in the hopes that future medical advancements could offer a cure.

space colony

DEFINITION:

a human settlement established beyond Earth's atmosphere, typically on another celestial body such as the Moon, Mars, or a distant planet

EXAMPLES:

1. In the movie "Interstellar," humanity seeks to establish a space colony on another habitable planet to ensure the survival of the species.
2. “Civilization: Beyond Earth" is a video game where players must establish and manage a space colony on an alien planet.

planetary terraforming

DEFINITION:

the changing of a planet's environment, such as its atmosphere, climate, and surface, to make it habitable or more Earth-like for human or other forms of life

EXAMPLES:

1. Scientists are studying the possibility of planetary terraforming to transform Mars into a habitable planet with a breathable atmosphere and liquid water.
2. Scientists envision a future where advanced planetary terraforming technologies can turn barren planets into worlds with diverse ecosystems.

galactic empire

DEFINITION:

a vast and powerful empire that spans multiple star systems or galaxies

EXAMPLES:

1. In Star Wars, Emperor Palpatine ruled the Galactic Empire for 24 years.
2. The Interdependency trilogy depicts a galactic empire on the verge of collapse.

extraterrestrial life

DEFINITION:

lifeforms or organisms that exist beyond Earth, either on other planets or in outer space

EXAMPLES:

1. Astronomers are searching for signs of extraterrestrial life in the universe.
2. The discovery of microorganisms on Mars would be a confirmation of the existence of extraterrestrial life.

alien abduction

DEFINITION:

when extraterrestrial beings take someone onto their spaceship by force

EXAMPLES:

1. The writer claimed to have experienced a terrifying alien abduction, and gave detailed descriptions of the alien spacecraft.
2. Alien abduction stories often involve being transported from the ground to a spaceship through a beam of light.

alien invasion

DEFINITION:

the arrival of extraterrestrial beings who attempt to conquer or take over Earth

EXAMPLES:

1. The world was thrown into chaos when news broke of an alien invasion.
2. The government established a secret group to investigate reports of UFO sightings and potential signs of an impending alien invasion.

time travel

DEFINITION:

the concept of moving backward or forward in time

EXAMPLES:

1. In the movie, the protagonist time travels to prevent a catastrophic event from occurring, altering the course of history.
2. Instead of using a time machine, in Days of Future Past a character time travels by transferring her consciousness to her younger self.

artificial intelligence

DEFINITION:

the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence

EXAMPLES:

1. Efforts are being made to slow down the development of artificial intelligence.
2. In the future, advanced artificial intelligence may become more powerful than humans and take control of society.

machine uprising

DEFINITION:

a scenario in which artificially intelligent machines or robots fight against human control, often with the intention of becoming dominant or eliminating humanity

EXAMPLES:

1. The game depicts a world ruled by robots after a successful machine uprising.
2. In the Terminator movies, humans struggle to survive in a world devastated by a violent machine uprising.

cyborg augmentation

DEFINITION:

the enhancement or modification of human abilities through the integration of artificial or cybernetic components

EXAMPLES:

1. Cyborg augmentation is not without risks, as some individuals experience difficulties adapting to their new robotic components or face potential malfunctions.
2. The protagonist in the story undergoes cyborg augmentation, replacing her limbs with mechanical ones to gain superhuman strength.

genetic engineering

DEFINITION:

the manipulation (or changing) of an organism's genes or DNA to produce desired traits or outcomes

EXAMPLES:

1. Genetic engineering has the potential to cure genetic diseases by modifying the faulty genes responsible for those conditions.
2. Scientists are using genetic engineering techniques to create modified crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases.

parallel universe

DEFINITION:

a universe or reality that exists alongside our own, with potentially different laws of physics and alternate versions of events

EXAMPLES:

1. Some physicists speculate that black holes could be gateways to parallel universes.
2. The movie "The One" explores the idea of multiple parallel universes, where one person's counterparts in other universes must be eliminated to gain their power.

futuristic technology

DEFINITION:

technological advancements and innovations that are imagined or predicted to exist in the future

EXAMPLES:

1. Self-driving cars equipped with futuristic technology will revolutionize transportation and make commuting safer and more convenient.
2. The scientists in the lab are experimenting with nanobots, a futuristic technology that allows them to destroy cancer cells without surgery or radiation.

dystopian society

DEFINITION:

a fictional or speculative society characterized by oppression, suffering, and a lack of freedom or individual rights

EXAMPLES:

1. In the dystopian society depicted in the novel, citizens are constantly monitored by the government through surveillance cameras and advanced technology.
2. In a parallel universe, the character Spider Punk fights villains such as President Osborn in a dystopian society.

teleportation device

DEFINITION:

a fictional device or concept that allows instantaneous transportation from one location to another

EXAMPLES:

1. The secret organization developed a portable teleportation device, enabling agents to quickly sabotage secure facilities.
2. The teleportation device malfunctioned, causing the characters to become trapped in a parallel dimension.

virtual reality

DEFINITION:

a computer-generated simulation that puts users in an interactive and artificial environment

EXAMPLES:

1. The company showed off its latest virtual reality headset, promising a high level of realism.
2. Virtual reality training programs are being used to enhance learning in various industries.

neural interface

DEFINITION:

a technology that enables direct communication and interaction between the brain and an external device or computer system, allowing the transfer of information between the brain and digital or mechanical devices

EXAMPLES:

1. Neural interface technology is being explored for its potential to enhance cognitive abilities.
2. Researchers are investigating the use of neural interfaces to decode brain signals and enable paralyzed individuals to control robotic limbs.