not to the purpose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, that’s not to the purpose; somehow I feel convinced he’ll turn up again.

From Prescott of Saskatchewan by Dunton, W. Herbert

This question, however, is not to the purpose of our present work, which respects landscape-painting only; it must be one of those left open to the reader's thoughts, and for future inquiry in another place.

From Modern Painters. Vol. III (of V) Containing Part IV. Of Many Things by Ruskin, John

Johnson: 'Nay, sir, that is not to the purpose of our argument; that will as much prove that he can play upon the Fiddle as well as Giardini, as that he is an eminent Grecian.'

From The Violin Its Famous Makers and Their Imitators by Hart, George

There is hardly one book published now-a-days which, if everything in it that is not to the purpose were left out, could not be reduced to half its size.

From Chips From A German Workshop - Volume I Essays on the Science of Religion by Müller, F. Max (Friedrich Max)

The proof taken from the weight of bodies is not to the purpose.

From Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint