I have known Ms M for three years when I was teaching at Moscow State University.

[englishhobby]

As far as I understand, this sentence is not grammatically correct (I know that we shouldn't use the present perfect tense when referring to the past): I have known Ms M for three years when I was teaching at Moscow State University.

What is the more proper way to put it?

I knew Ms M for three years when I was teaching at Moscow State University.
(It's from a student reference letter.)

 

[Roman55]

It seems strange to use the verb 'know" here. You either know someone or you don't.

It's OK to say, 'I have known Ms M for three years' meaning I have known her since I met her three years ago but, 'I knew Ms M for three years' means that you don't know her anymore.

 

[bhaisahab]

Perhaps he "knew" her in the biblical sense. ;-)

 

[GoesStation]

As far as I understand, this sentence is not grammatically correct (I know that we shouldn't use the present perfect tense when referring to the past): I have known Ms M for three years when I was teaching at Moscow State University.

What is the more proper way to put it?

I knew Ms M for three years when I was teaching at Moscow State University.
(It's from a student reference letter.)

Quibbles about whether "to know" is a good choice of verbs aside, your sentence is correct.

You could avoid using "to know" with something like I worked with Ms. M for three years when I was teaching at MSU.