Why do we say not although both carry the same meaning?

You're right, "not" and "although" don't carry the same meaning. They have distinct functions in English grammar and convey different ideas. Let's break down the differences:

"Not" is a negation word. It's used to express the opposite of something. For example:

* "I am not going to the party." (This statement negates the idea of going to the party.)

"Although" is a conjunction that introduces a contrasting statement. It shows that something unexpected or surprising is happening despite a previous statement. For example:

* "Although I was tired, I went for a walk." (This statement contrasts the speaker's tiredness with their decision to go for a walk.)

Here's a comparison table:

| Feature | "Not" | "Although" |

|---|---|---|

| Function | Negation | Conjunction |

| Meaning | Opposite of something | Contrasting statement |

| Example | I am not going. | Although I am tired, I went. |

In summary:

* "Not" denies something.

* "Although" shows a contrast between two statements.

While you might use "not" to express a contrasting idea, "although" is more specific and emphasizes the unexpectedness of the second part of the sentence. They both have their place in language and contribute to the meaning in distinct ways.