Learn English – Can you say “something” when referring to a person or thing

speech

Say for example you are saying "He takes the rubber ball and whips it, trying to hit something with it."

Is it correct to say "something" when what can be hit is a person or a thing?

Or do I have to say "He takes the rubber ball and whips it, trying to hit someone or something with it."

If the intended target includes both people and non-people, something is acceptable. Another example:

If you fire that weapon into that brush where that platoon took cover, you're liable to hit at least something.

The implication is that you could just as easily hit a person as you might hit gear, clothing, etc.

It's admittedly ambiguous, however. To be more clear, you would use both.

He takes the rubber ball and whips it, trying to hit something or someone with it.

In some contexts, the someone is added for drama.

He jabbed the stick into the darkness, trying to hit something... or someone.