Should/Ought/Want to give advice

[Detlef]

I read in a few English dictionaries, like Collins Cobuild, that 'should', 'ought to' and 'want to' can be used to give people advice.

- Ex.: 'If possible you want to avoid alcohol' could be replaced by for instance: 'You should/ ought to avoid alcohol if possible.'

also 'need to' can be replaced by 'want to'

-EX.: 'The plants want watering daily'/ 'The plants need watering daily.'

Is 'want to' in this context informal?

Thanks
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The Importance Of Being Earnest - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) I just love him!

[Mister Micawber]

Not especially informal, no, but perhaps not so frequently used nowadays.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Take_It_Easy]

Detlef, I think "ought to" is more often to use in American english. I think need to can be replaced by have to.

[OxfordBlues]

Ought and should are almost identical in that they signify obligation. However, ought has the added implication of moral obligation.

So if you are saying it's a good idea to do something because it's the right thing to do (in the eyes of God, or society, or the law, etc) use ought. Otherwise, use should.
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