[Grammar] tell/told /was telling

[shibli.aftab]

1. Bob tells me you joined the company recently.
2. Bob told me you joined the company recently.
3. Bob was telling me you joined the company recently.

What is the difference in meaning of above sentences?

 

[emsr2d2]

Essentially, there is no difference in meaning. At some unspecified point in the past, Bob told me you recently joined the company.

 

[shibli.aftab]

Essentially, there is no difference in meaning. At some unspecified point in the past, Bob told me you recently joined the company.

If the first one is correct with respect to tense? Is it informal sentence? When do we use sentences like these?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes, it's informal. You can use it when Bob told you in the very recent past..