What a shame they couldn’t come.
What a shame they can’t come.
Is there any difference between them?
The only difference is couldn't(past) vs. can't(present).
In other words, 'couldn't' means past here?
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Why do you think "couldn't" means something other than the past of "can't" here?– gotube ♦Commented Oct 14, 2023 at 18:06
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1 Answer
In other words, 'couldn't' means past here?
Yes
What a shame they couldn’t come. = What a shame [that at the time I asked them] they were unable to come.
or (said after the event has happened) = What a shame they were unable to come [to the event that has now ended/took place in the past].
What a shame they can’t come. = What a shame that [currently] they are unable to come.
