cependant, pourtant or toutefois

[DerekJ]

I'm trying to work out how I would choose any of the following.... "cependant, pourtant,  toutefois" to express "however". In other words, how would I decide which of them to use for any given circumstance.  I know there are also other words and expressions that can also express the general sentiment but it's the differentiation between these 3 words that interest me.

Any thoughts please?

[Clair]

They are almost interchangeable and all express a contradiction or a restrictive nuance, as do however, nevertheless, yet...

There's also néanmoins and tout de même.

[DerekJ]

Thanks a lot Clair. I was unsure about whether there were subtle differences on when you might use one versus the other but thanks for the clarification about the interchangeability and it sounds like I wouldn't be getting it badly wrong regardless of which one I used.