两个句子没有什么差异，都译为：汤姆是一个像彼得一样能干的工人。句（2）中的as efficient as Peter是形容词短语作后置定语，相当于who is as efficient as Peter构成的定语从句。

有些形容词 (表语形容词除外) 与介词搭配构成形容词短语作后置定语时, 我们可以采用分隔形式，即它和其后的介词拆开, 将形容词置于名词之前, 将介词短语置于名词之后。例如:

That's a question different from this one. = That's a different question from this one.那是一个与此不同的问题。

▲as...as构成的形容词短语作后置定语时同样可以采取分隔形式。例如：

She is a girl as clever as Mary. =  She is as clever a girl as Mary.她是一个象玛丽一样聪明的姑娘。