Det gjenstår mye.

Here det is a dummy/formal subject. It does not usually refer to a specific thing.

Norwegian often uses det in sentences where English might use:

• there: There remains a lot
• or sometimes no dummy subject at all in a more natural translation: A lot remains

So in this sentence, det is mainly there because Norwegian finite clauses normally need a subject in first position.

You can think of it as similar to:

• Det regner = It is raining
• Det finnes mange løsninger = There are many solutions

In Det gjenstår mye, the important content is really gjenstår mye.

Gjenstår is the present tense of the verb å gjenstå, which means to remain, to be left, or to still be outstanding.

So:

• å gjenstå = infinitive
• gjenstår = present tense

Examples:

• Det gjenstår litt arbeid. = Some work remains.
• To spørsmål gjenstår. = Two questions remain.

This verb is often used for things like:

• work
• time
• tasks
• problems
• questions
• steps in a process

Because gjenstår is the present tense form.

In Norwegian, many verbs form the present tense with -r:

• å bo → bor
• å lære → lærer
• å gjenstå → gjenstår

So:

• å gjenstå = to remain
• det gjenstår = it remains / there remains

Mye is used for much / a lot, especially with:

• uncountable things
• abstract amounts
• situations where the noun is not stated

In Det gjenstår mye, mye stands alone and means something like much / a lot.

Use mange for many with countable plural nouns:

• Det gjenstår mange oppgaver. = Many tasks remain.

Compare:

• Det gjenstår mye. = A lot remains.
• Det gjenstår mange ting. = Many things remain.

So mye is correct because the sentence is talking about an unspecified amount, not a countable plural noun.

In terms of meaning, mye is what is actually remaining, so semantically it is the main content element.

But in the surface grammar of the sentence, det fills the subject position at the front. This is why learners often hear that det is a formal subject, while mye carries the real meaning.

A useful way to see this is to compare:

• Det gjenstår mye.
• Mye gjenstår.

Both are possible, but the first is the more neutral, common pattern in many contexts.

Yes, you can.

Mye gjenstår is grammatical and means the same basic thing. It can sound a bit more literary, emphatic, or stylistically marked depending on context.

Compare:

• Det gjenstår mye. = neutral, very natural
• Mye gjenstår. = also correct, but often feels more focused or formal

So if you are unsure, Det gjenstår mye is the safer everyday choice.

They are similar, but not always identical in tone.

• Det gjenstår mye often sounds a bit more formal, written, or abstract.
• Det står mye igjen is often more everyday and conversational.

Both can mean A lot remains / There is still a lot left.

Very roughly:

• gjenstå is common in formal statements, reports, plans, tasks, deadlines
• stå igjen is common in speech and more general everyday language

Examples:

• Det gjenstår mye arbeid. = somewhat formal/neutral
• Det står mye arbeid igjen. = very natural in speech

In many situations, either is fine.

Yes, there is a connection in meaning.

• å gjenstå is a single verb meaning remain
• å stå igjen is a verb phrase meaning be left / remain

They overlap a lot in usage. Historically and semantically, gjen- carries the idea of again / left over / remaining, and stå means stand.

For learners, the main practical point is:

• learn å gjenstå as its own verb
• also learn å stå igjen as a common alternative

Do not treat gjenstår in this sentence as if it were just står with a freely movable particle. In standard grammar, gjenstå is usually treated as a lexical verb of its own.

Because in a normal Norwegian main clause, the pattern is usually:

subject + finite verb + other elements

So:

• Det = subject position
• gjenstår = finite verb
• mye = later in the clause

That gives:

• Det gjenstår mye.

Det mye gjenstår is not normal Norwegian word order.

This reflects the common V2 pattern in Norwegian main clauses: the finite verb comes early in the sentence, typically in second position.

No. Norwegian verbs do not change for person or number in the present tense.

So the verb stays the same:

• Det gjenstår mye.
• Det gjenstår to oppgaver.
• To oppgaver gjenstår.

In all of these, the present tense is still gjenstår.

This is different from English, where learners may expect verb agreement like remains vs remain. In Norwegian, you do not need to worry about that kind of agreement.

It is generally neutral, but the verb gjenstå can sound a bit more formal or written than some everyday alternatives.

So:

• perfectly normal in speech
• very common in writing
• especially common in formal or semi-formal contexts

For example, you might see it in:

• news
• work emails
• academic writing
• project updates
• official statements

If you want a more conversational alternative, you might hear:

• Det er mye igjen.
• Det står mye igjen.

But Det gjenstår mye is absolutely natural.

Yes, very naturally.

The short sentence Det gjenstår mye leaves the thing unspecified. You can make it more explicit:

• Det gjenstår mye arbeid. = A lot of work remains.
• Det gjenstår mye tid. = A lot of time remains.
• Det gjenstår mye usikkerhet. = Much uncertainty remains.

This is a very common pattern:

• Det gjenstår + quantity + noun

A few useful forms are:

• å gjenstå = to remain
• gjenstår = remains / remain
• gjensto = remained
• har gjenstått = has/have remained

Examples:

• Det gjenstår mye. = A lot remains.
• Det gjensto mye. = A lot remained.
• Det har gjenstått noen problemer. = Some problems have remained.

In everyday learning, the most important form is usually gjenstår, since that is the one you will see often in statements about what is still left.

Yes, that is a very common learner mistake.

Even though the Norwegian sentence contains det, a more natural English rendering is usually:

• A lot remains
• There is still a lot left
• Much remains in a more formal style

So grammatically you should understand the Norwegian structure, but you should not force a word-for-word English translation like It remains much, which sounds unnatural in English.