Because an image schema arises from embodied experience, which is ongoing, image schemas can undergo transformations from one image schema into another. For instance, the source path- goal image schema in fact represents such a transformation, which reflects the typical trajectory of locomotion undertaken by an animate entity.

In his work on the English preposition over, George Lakoff argues that new senses of over arise due to image schema transformations. For instance, while over has, according to Lakoff, an ‘above-across’ sense (or lexical concept ) associated with it, as evidenced by examples such as the following: John walked over the hill, in an example of the following kind: John lives over the hill, the focus has switched to the goal, the end point of a motion trajectory. This switch in focus is possible due to image-schema transformation, resulting in a distinct ‘end-point focus’ sense.