work on vs transform

work on and transform both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
work on	No	No	Yes	No
transform	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, transform is a hypernym of work on; that is, transform is a word with a broader meaning than work on:

Other hypernyms of work on include transmute, transubstantiate.

work on (verb)	transform (verb)
shape, form, or improve a material	change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
to exert effort in order to do, make, or perform something	change from one form or medium into another
	subject to a mathematical transformation
	change in outward structure or looks
	increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage)
	change (a bacterial cell) into a genetically distinct cell by the introduction of DNA from another cell of the same or closely related species
	convert (one form of energy) to another