A study investigated the exophoric function of the pronouns "it, they, he, she" and related forms in four English conversations. It analyzed the frequency and characteristics of the occurrence of those exophoric pronouns and found that they were much less frequent than endophoric pronouns. It also found that the exophoric pronoun groups themselves vary in frequency and functions and concluded that several variables may determine the use of these pronouns, including topic and the speakers' shared knowledge. If the speakers discuss objects and persons in the setting, they tend to use exophoric pronouns. If a man is discussed, this influences the frequency of the use of "he," and if the man is somehow central to the speakers and their conversation topic, it is likely to influence the frequency of the exophoric use of "he." (MSE)