What's the difference between shǐ yòng 使用 and yòng 用？ Both mean to use. However, sometimes you need both and sometimes you can simply say yòng 用.

Examples:

謝謝你使用拼音 , thank you for using pinyin

謝謝你用鉛筆 , thank you for using a pencil
Actually they are almost the same just like in order to vs to have same effect.
But 用 can only be verb , can a little bit simplify the sentence .
使用 and 用 have same mean in below block

用水 用工具 用他的東西 用電腦
使用水 使用工具 使用他的東西 使用電腦
use water ,use tools, use his stuff , use computer

使用 has more way to use.

使用手冊 使用時間 使用地點
Operation Manual , usage time , Use location