Quote:
Quoted from The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking
Einsteins general theory of relativity combines the time dimension with the three dimensions of space to form what is called spacetime. The theory incorporates the effect of gravity by saying that the distribution of matter and energy in the universe warps and distorts spacetime, so that it is not flat. Objects in this spacetime try to move in straight lines, but because spacetime is curved, their paths appear bent. They move as if affected by a gravitational field. By curving space and time, general relativity changes space and time from being a passive background against which events take place to being active, dynamic participants in what happens.
Dam this guy knows how to put it into words. I could try but I would probably just confuse myself and others.