This study examines the instrumentality of English in writing good research papers. Writing is an interesting intellectual process. Research papers cover a wide range of topics. Poor mastery of English in English-speaking non-native regions is evident in research papers, and this is unacceptable. The study hinges on an integrative theoretical underpinning which explores insights from contemporary English grammar and principles of writing. Data are generated from research papers across academic disciplines. They are analyzed in terms of the conventions of English (grammar and vocabulary) and principles of writing that the writers have either articulated or violated. This study concludes that effective use of English in research papers presupposes use of correct spellings, appropriate vocabulary, grammatical constructions, progressive paragraphs, accurate transitional expressions, creative description of phenomena and proposition-reporting verbs.