Subjects

Conceding a point
The following connectors are commonly used to concede points:

Most of the time, they will be used at the front of a subordinate clause:
Despite the fact that Hong Kong has been a semi-autonomous region for only two years, the early signs are that the regions, both mainland and SAR will prosper.
Whereas it may be true to say that Antarctica is a demilitarized zone, there are serious causes for concern as far as the region's environmental situation is concerned.
Although it would be attractive to suggest that the economic downturn has bottomed out, evidence suggests the contrary. See also assertion and qualification.

EXAMPLES Note: In the following example, the author is arguing in favour of the introduction of technology.

Whilst there may be a degree of technophobia amongst members of staff and despite the proliferation of use of PCs at home, there may still be many students who are unable or unwilling to learn through the Computer Assisted Learning materials provided for them.

Of course, technical underpinnings are only part of the much larger issue of major educational reform. Human factors ultimately will determine the extent to which networking technology can assist the task of educational reform. But technology can significantly reduce the human effort that must go into educational reform and can ease the cost of the transitions associated with reforms. The real challenge is to use the technology effectively to unlock the imaginations and abilities of students and teachers across the nation.

However the introduction of widespread Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) and other techniques should not be seen as a solution to all problems. The introduction of CAL will in fact contribute to the problems encountered although it should be seen as a long term benefit.

although	though	while
whereas	in spite of	despite
nevertheless	however	but