Phrasal verb "put down to"

[Bassim]

I have tried to use "put down to" in my sentences. I am not sure if my third sentence sounds natural. Would you please correct my mistakes?

1. The construction of the new motorway has been delayed, which the authorities put down to the lack of funds.

2. Peter didn't manage to qualify for the Olympic Games, which he puts down to the bad preparation and injuries.

3. New riots which have erupted in the suburbs, the police put down to the hopelessness young people feel and other social problems.

 

[emsr2d2]

I have tried to use "put down to" in my sentences. I am not sure if my third sentence sounds natural. Would you please correct my mistakes?

1. The construction of the new motorway has been delayed, which the authorities put down to the lack of funds.

2. Peter didn't manage to qualify for the Olympic Games, which he puts down to the bad preparation and injuries.

3. New riots [STRIKE]which[/STRIKE] have erupted in the suburbs, which the police put down to the hopelessness young people feel and other social problems.

See above. You were right that the third sentence didn't work. You simply needed to move "which" to the same position you had it in sentences 1 and 2.

 

[Phaedrus]

3. New riots which have erupted in the suburbs, the police put down to the hopelessness young people feel and other social problems.

That sentence works if the noun phrase preceding the comma is parsed as the (fronted) direct object of "put down."